A/HRC/12/4 Page 3 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 fifth session from 4 to 15 May 2009. The review of Belize was held at the 3rd meeting on 5 May 2009. The delegation of Belize was headed by Ms Judith Alpuche, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation. At its meeting held on 7 May 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report on Belize . 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Belize: Russian Federation, Malaysia and Brazil. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Belize: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/BLZ/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/BLZ/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/BLZ/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Argentina, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Belize through the troika. These 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. At the 3rd meeting, on 5 May 2009, Judith Alpuche, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation, opened her statement by referring to the national report that demonstrates significant strides made towards implementation of the international human rights treaties. 6. Belize is a party to the majority of the major international human rights treaties, as well as inter-American human rights instruments. While the obligations arising from these treaties are very important, resource constraints hinder timely reporting on implementation. 7. Belize has a strong commitment to the normative human rights framework, but faces challenges in its full operationalization. 8. Nothwithstanding resource constraints, the Government is conscious that Belize is not yet a party to some treaties. Belize is actively studying them. The overlapping nature of the United Nations and inter-American systems, however, is to be noted.