A/HRC/31/12 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-third session from 2 to 13 November 2015. The review of Austria was held at the 11th meeting, on 9 November 2015. The delegation of Austria was headed by the Federal Minister of Justice, Wolfgang Brandstetter. At its 17th meeting, held on 12 November 2015, the Working Group adopted the report on Austria. 2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Austria: Albania, Cuba and the Republic of Korea. 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 Austria: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/AUT/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.6/23/AUT/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/AUT/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Austria through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the Working Group. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation reaffirmed that the protection of human rights remained a core priority of the Government. Austria had a long-standing record of active engagement in protecting human rights at the national level and in advancing the international and regional human rights systems. 6. Austria had been working continuously on the follow-up to its first universal periodic review. It had submitted a midterm report on the status of the implementation of the recommendations arising from the first review in 2013. A steering group had been established to maintain a dialogue between civil society and the federal Government during the follow-up. That dialogue had intensified during the preparation of the National Action Plan on Human Rights. The voice of representatives of civil society had been critical to overcome challenges in realizing human rights. The Government had benefited from its close interaction with all stakeholders. 7. One of the greatest challenges remained the massive influx and transit of refugees from the Syrian Arab Republic and other countries. The number of applications for asylum in Austria was expected to triple in 2015 in comparison with 2014. A number of measures had been taken by the Government, with the assistance of aid organizations and civil society representatives, to address the challenge. 3