A/HRC/11/28 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 fourth session from 2 to 13 February 2009. The review of Mauritius was held at the 14th meeting on 10 February 2009. The delegation of Mauritius was headed by the Honourable Jayarama Valayden, AttorneyGeneral. At its meeting held on 13 February 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Mauritius: Zambia, Malaysia and Slovakia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Mauritius: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/MUS/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.6/4/MUS/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/MUS/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Latvia, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany was transmitted to Mauritius 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. The delegation said that the national report was prepared through a broad consultative process involving all relevant government departments, established national human rights institutions and a range of NGOs active in the field of human rights. 6. Strong and independent institutions exist to guarantee the rights of the citizens, such as the National Human Rights Commission (which includes the Sex Discrimination Division), the Ombudsman and the Ombudsperson for Children. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has had accreditation “Status A” since 2002. 7. In consonance with the treaties and conventions to which Mauritius is a party, a number of legislative measures have been adopted recently to further promote human rights, such as the HIV and AIDS Act 2006, the Certificate of Morality Act 2006, the Imprisonment for Civil Debt (Abolition) Act 2006, the Borrower Protection Act 2007 and the Truth and Justice Commission Act 2008 8. Mauritius has also recently adopted the Equal Opportunities Act 2008 which provides for an Equal Opportunities Division within the NHRC and an Equal Opportunities Tribunal to enforce the provisions of the Act. 9. To advance the realization of economic, social and cultural rights for its citizens with a view to combating poverty, the Government has placed empowerment and the reduction of