A/HRC/41/5 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-second session from 21 January to 1 February 2019. The review of Afghanistan was held at the 2nd meeting, on 21 January 2019. The delegation of Afghanistan was headed by the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Suraya Dalil. At its 10th meeting, held on 25 January 2019, the Working Group adopted the report on Afghanistan. 2. On 15 January 2019, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Afghanistan: Iceland, Nigeria and Philippines. 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 Afghanistan: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/32/AFG/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.6/32/AFG/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/32/AFG/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Angola, Belgium, Germany, Portugal on behalf of the Group of Friends on national implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Afghanistan 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 head of the delegation underscored that Afghanistan placed great importance on the universal periodic review, considering that the promotion and protection of human rights were core components of State-building efforts, and emphasizing that the Constitution of Afghanistan enshrined a clear commitment to the principles of human rights. Effective and transparent governance had a profound impact on the promotion and protection of human rights. In 2017, Afghanistan had adopted a comprehensive strategy to ensure the transparency, effectiveness and accountability of public institutions. The national justice and judicial reform programme had been developed to combat impunity and to ensure access to justice and fair trials. 6. The Government had enacted a new Penal Code, aimed to limit the use of the death penalty and to protect against arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial executions and honour killings. In addition, the annex to the Criminal Procedure Code on alternatives to imprisonment and detention was being enforced. 7. Afghanistan had executed the first phase of the national action plan for implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), resulting in an increase in women’s representation in public institutions, such as the High Peace Council. Women’s inclusion in the labour force had risen to 27 per cent. The Government had launched the Women’s Economic Empowerment National Priority Programme, one of ten priority programmes. To address violence and discrimination against women, Afghanistan had established the position of Deputy Attorney General for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children and anti-harassment committees in all ministries. The Supreme Court 2