A/HRC/25/12 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 seventeenth session from 21 October to 1 November 2013. The review of Monaco was held at the 11th meeting on 28 October 2013. The delegation of Monaco was headed by José Badia, Minister of Foreign Affairs. At its 18th meeting, held on 31 October 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Monaco. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Monaco: Guatemala, the Philippines and Uganda. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Monaco: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/17/MCO/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.6/17/MCO/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/17/MCO/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Netherlands, Slovenia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Monaco through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 11th meeting of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, held on 28 October 2013, Mr. José Badia, Minister for Foreign Affairs, introduced the national report and made an opening statement in which he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to report on the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the recommendations made by the Human Rights Council in 2009. With regard to the preparations for the second universal periodic review, he emphasized the involvement of civil society and of the National Council (Parliament). 6. He described some of the specific features of the Principality of Monaco: (a) it is an independent sovereign State that covers an area of only 2.02 square kilometres; (b) it is a hereditary constitutional monarchy that upholds the primacy of the law and ensures the separation of powers; (c) it is a country made up of only 36,000 inhabitants, of which about 8,600 have Monegasque nationality. 7. He noted that the Principality was deeply committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, which constituted priorities in its national and international policy. Many of the laws it had adopted reflected that commitment, including (a) Act No 1.359 of 20 April 2009 on the establishment of an antenatal and family support coordination centre, amending article 248 of the Criminal Code and article 323 of the Civil Code; (b) Act No. 1.387 of 19 December 2011 amending Act No. 1.155 on nationality; (c) Act No. 1.382 of GE.14-10028 3