A/HRC/27/3 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 nineteenth session from 28 April 7 to 9 May 2014. The review of Norway was held at the 1st meeting, on 28 April 2014. The delegation of Norway was headed by Børge Brende, Minister of Foreign Affairs. At its 10th meeting, held on 2 May 2014, the Working Group adopted the report on Norway. 2. On 15 January 2014, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Norway: Congo, Indonesia and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 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 Norway: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/19/NOR/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.6/19/NOR/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/19/NOR/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom was transmitted to Norway through the troika. The 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 the UPR mechanism was an important pillar of the Human Rights Council. Human rights were well protected in Norway and Norway had a longstanding commitment to human rights at both the international and national levels. In preparing the national report, Norway had consulted civil society. 6. The Norwegian State was established on the territory of two peoples: the Norwegians and the Sami, who were recognized as an indigenous people. There were five national minorities in Norway: Kven, Jews, Forest Finns, Roma and Romani. 7. In order to strengthen and simplify the legal framework on discrimination, the Government was currently working on a new comprehensive equality and antidiscrimination act. The delegation reaffirmed that Norway was waging a continuous battle against forced marriage and female genital mutilation. 8. In response to questions from the Netherlands and Portugal, the delegation stated that the Government had decided to establish a new independent national human rights institution that complied with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). 3