A/HRC/31/17 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 Sao Tome and Principe was held at the 16th meeting, on 11 November 2015. The delegation of Sao Tome and Principe was headed by the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Roberto Pedro Raposo. At its 18th meeting, held on 13 November 2015, the Working Group adopted the report on Sao Tome and Principe. 2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Sao Tome and Principe: Botswana, India and Paraguay. 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 Sao Tome and Principe: (a) A national report (A/HRC/WG.6/23/STP/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (A/HRC/WG.6/23/STP/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR (A/HRC/WG.6/23/STP/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wa s transmitted to Sao Tome and Principe 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. Roberto Pedro Raposo, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Sao Tome and Principe, introduced the national report for the second universal periodic review. 6. After gaining independence on 12 July 1975, Sao Tome and Principe had determined to build a democratic State underpinned by fundamental human rights and respect for the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 7. As a United Nations Member State, Sao Tome and Principe had presented its first report in February 2011, during the tenth session of the universal periodic review. The review process had generated a range of recommendations from the States participating in the interactive dialogue. 8. In order to highlight the progress made, challenges encountered and good practices deployed during the review period (2011 -2015), the national report had been drawn up addressing the recommendations accepted by Sao Tome and Principe at the tenth session of the universal periodic review, the aim being to demonstrate the extent to which commitments for the promotion and protection of human rights had been fulfilled. 9. As the government body responsible for coordinating and drafting the report, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights had established an interministerial commission GE.16-00396 3/25