A/HRC/26/13 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 eighteenth session from 27 January to 7 February 2014. The review of Eritrea was held at the 12th meeting on 3 February 2014. The delegation of Eritrea was headed by Tesfamichael Gerahtu. At its 17th meeting held on 6 February 2014, the Working Group adopted the report on Eritrea. 2. On 15 January 2014, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Eritrea: Austria, Indonesia and Sierra Leone. 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 Eritrea: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/18/ERI/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.6/18/ERI/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/18/ERI/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Eritrea through the troika. Those questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Eritrea thanked the States that had sent advance questions and concerns as well as expressions of support and stated that Eritrea valued all constructive engagements on the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 6. The delegation stated that the contents of the UPR report focused mainly on the implementation of the accepted recommendations and related issues. It had been prepared through a process of broad participation and high responsibility. A steering committee composed of representatives from all relevant line ministries and chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been established and civil society organizations were represented in the committee. The United Nations country team in Eritrea also provided input. 7. Higher level consultations had been carried out, including with law enforcement agencies, members of the judiciary, regional administration and civic organizations, on the draft laws, which were now ready for proclamation. Furthermore, new laws on access to water, food security, privatization of State-owned enterprises and access to justice, as well as the accountability of judicial services and the expansion and extended jurisdiction of community magistrate courts had been introduced. 8. The the Constitution was the source of all legislative measures and the basis of economic, social, cultural and political policies and actions. While local and regional 3