A/HRC/33/6 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fifth session from 2 to 13 May 2016. The review of Samoa was held at the third meeting, on 3 May 2016. The delegation of Samoa was headed by Lautafi Selafi Purcell, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour. At its 11th meeting, held on 9 May 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Samoa. 2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Samoa: Congo, Ecuador and India. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Samoa: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/WSM/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/WSM/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/WSM/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Mexico, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Samoa through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The head of the delegation, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, stated that Samoa viewed the universal periodic review as an important opportunity not only to reflect on its human rights record but also to provide responses to recommendations received at the May 2011 universal periodic review and to provide answers to the advance written questions received from member States, namely Mexico, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom. 6. Samoa noted the recommendation made with regard to the establishment of the national human rights institution, which had been established in 2013 under the Ombudsman Act. Since then, the institution had been proactive and committed to national and international engagement by producing the first human rights State party report of Samoa in 2015, as well as undertaking human rights training, outreach and awareness campaigns throughout the country, using all forms of media. The national human rights institution had been conscientiously working towards its accreditation in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. Once deemed compliant, Samoa would become the first accredited national human rights institution in the Pacific Region. 7. Recommendations made with respect to women’s rights, the fight against domestic violence and violence against women and children had all been supported. Samoa had GE.16-10832 3