A/HRC/23/7 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its fifteenth session from 21 January to 1 February 2013. The review of Botswana was held at the 5th meeting on 23 January 2013. The delegation of Botswana was headed by Dikgakgamatso Ramadeluka Seretse. At its 10th meeting, held on 25 January 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Botswana. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Botswana: Austria, Poland and Uganda. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Botswana: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/15/BWA/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.6/15/BWA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/15/BWA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Botswana through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation stated that it was happy to see that the UPR had retained its form, following the review of the work and functioning of the Human Rights Council. The successful completion of the first cycle of the UPR epitomized the achievement of the Human Rights Council in discharging its mandate. 6. The delegation stated that the value of the UPR depended on the acceptance by Member States that the promotion and protection of human rights could no longer be a side issue in the global discourse of human development. 7. In introducing the national report, the delegation emphasized that the report was a product of broad consultations involving Government, civil society and non-governmental organizations. 8. The delegation stated that Botswana continued to live up to its obligations as a democracy, particularly as it observed the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and good governance characterized by consultations and inclusiveness, as well as due regard for the will of its people. 9. In addition, the delegation stated that the Government placed a high premium on providing resources for the institutions that dealt with the promotion and protection of human rights, including the Office of the Ombudsman, the Directorate of Public 3