A/HRC/12/13 Page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, 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 Yemen was held at the 8th meeting, on 11 May 2009. The delegation of Yemen was headed by H.E. Dr. Huda Abdullatef Alban, Minister of Human Rights. At its 16th meeting, on 13 May 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 Yemen: Indonesia, Nicaragua and South Africa. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Yemen: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/YEM /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/YEM /2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/5/YEM /3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Argentina, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northen Ireland was transmitted to Yemen 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 8th meeting, on 11 May 2009, the delegation presented its report, indicating that Yemen was celebrating the nineteenth anniversary of the realization of the unity of the land and people of Yemen on 22 May 1990. It added that the unified Constitution mandated equal rights for citizens without discrimination and adopted democracy, political pluralism and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as an irreversible approach. 6. Yemen involved a number of civil society organizations in the preparation of the national report. Democracy and human rights in Yemen have become a behaviour and a way of life and if some negative aspects emerge in practice and application, they are normal symptoms experienced by emerging democracies. Yemen was witnessing a growing trend of legislative and institutional guarantees which represent the basis for the empowerment of civil society institutions and members of society to engage in the actual practice of the principles and values of rights and freedoms and to participate actively in political, economic, social and cultural life. 7. Democracy and human rights in Yemen constitute an integrated system and the most striking evidence in this regard is the ratification of more than 56 international conventions and instruments from an early date and the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights in 2003.