A/HRC/17/13 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its tenth session from 24 January to 4 February 2011. The review of Sao Tome and Principe was held at the 11th meeting on 31 January 2011. The delegation of Sao Tome and Principe was headed by Elisio Osvaldo do Espirito Santo d’Alva Teixeira, Minister of Justice and Reform of the State. At its 15th meeting held on 2 February 2011, the Working Group adopted the report on Sao Tome and Principe. 2. On 21 June 2010, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Sao Tome and Principe: Norway, Nigeria, and China. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Sao Tome and Principe: (a) A national report/written presentation prepared in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/STP/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.6/10/STP/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/STP/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Latvia, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and France was transmitted to Sao Tome and Principe through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR site. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation stated that Sao Tome and Principe was committed to human rights, as provided for in the African Charter of Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and enshrined in the Constitution of the country. 6. In 1990, political, legislative and institutional reforms took place, paving the way to a multiparty democracy, which demonstrated the engagement of Sao Tome and Principe to promote democracy, the rule of law, and construct a society based on justice and solidarity. 7. Sao Tome and Principe has taken actions to promote legislative and institutional reforms in line with its international commitments. It has gradually moved forward in the consolidation of democratic ideals, by harmonizing its domestic legislation in accordance with international human rights. The delegation highlighted, in this regard, the adoption of the following laws: the law on constitutional review, the law on electoral rights and electoral registration, the law on nationality, the law on political parties, the law on electoral commissions, the statute governing holders of political office, the press law, and the law on the High Council of the Press, among others. 8. Although Sao Tome and Principe has not ratified several international human rights instruments, it has taken several measures in order to comply with its international 3