A/HRC/38/8 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-ninth session from 15 to 26 January 2018. The review of Botswana was held at the 5th meeting, on 17 January 2018. The delegation of Botswana was headed by the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Edwin J. Batshu. At its 10th meeting, held on 19 January 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Botswana. 2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Botswana: China, Cuba and the United States of America. 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 Botswana: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/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.6/29/BWA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/BWA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Botswana through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation stated that the national report had been prepared in collaboration with civil society organizations. The Government, in collaboration with civil society, would endeavour to draw up national action plans to implement the recommendations received during the current review. 6. In 2016, the national transformative agenda, Vision 2036, had been launched as a road map to deliver national aspirations for the next 20 years, and to guide Botswana on the path of inclusive development, to be achieved through the expansion of the domestic economy, while empowering citizens to meaningfully participate in the development of the country. The Eleventh National Development Plan had been adopted to guide medium-term economic development, as a first step in the implementation of Vision 2036. 7. In 2014, the Cabinet had approved the amendment of the Ombudsman Act, Act No. 5 of 1995 to confer a human rights mandate on the Office of the Ombudsman. The drafting of the Ombudsman Amendment Bill was at an advanced stage, and the Bill would be tabled during the July 2018 session of Parliament, making it possible to establish a national human rights institution. Moreover, a human rights unit would be established in the Office of the President and would contribute to ensuring adherence to the reporting obligations under the various treaties. 8. In 2017, Botswana had reported to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. In relation to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, work had commenced on the preparation of the initial report. With regard to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and 2