A/HRC/17/6 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 tenth session from 24 January to 4 February 2011. The review of Saint Lucia was held at the 4th meeting on 25 January 2011. The delegation of Saint Lucia was headed by: Donatus Keith St. Aimee, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the United Nations in New York. At its 8th meeting held on 27 January 2011, the Working Group adopted the report on Saint Lucia. 2. On 21 June 2010, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Saint Lucia: Ghana, Maldives and Uruguay. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Saint Lucia: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/LCA/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.6/10/LCA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/LCA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Latvia, Maldives, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Saint Lucia 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. Saint Lucia indicated that the preparation of the national report had involved a broad-based consultation process at the national level with all relevant stakeholders. The Ministry of External Affairs co-ordinated this process and led inter-ministerial meetings with relevant ministries, the Parliamentary Commissioner (Ombudsman), and the Saint Lucia Non State Actors Panel – an umbrella body representing a cross section of Saint Lucia’s non-governmental organizations. Written submissions were also requested from other non-governmental organizations representing various special interests. 6. Saint Lucia then provided details regarding the country’s background including its size, population and electoral process. It also recalled that it is a member State of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). 7. Saint Lucia noted that its economy is primarily driven by the tourism sector, which has supplanted a previously robust agricultural sector. Continued infrastructural investment, a stable political environment, and an educated workforce have attracted foreign and domestic investment. However, like several of its Caribbean neighbours, Saint Lucia’s developmental capacity remains constrained due to vulnerability to external shocks such as the economic and financial crisis and natural disasters. 3