A/HRC/33/11 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fifth session from 2 to 13 May 2016. The review of Tajikistan was held at the 9th meeting on 6 May 2016. The delegation of Tajikistan was headed by the Minister of Justice of Tajikistan, Rustam Shohmurod. At its 17th meeting, held on 11 May 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Tajikistan. 2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Tajikistan: Algeria, Germany and Saudi Arabia. 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 Tajikistan: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/TJK/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.6/25/TJK/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/TJK/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Chile, the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Tajikistan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Tajikistan considered the universal periodic review to be an important mechanism for international oversight over Member States’ fulfilment of their international human rights obligations and for assessing positive developments and challenges in a given country. Since gaining its independence, Tajikistan had been committed to building a democratic society based on human rights values. That commitment was reflected in the second chapter of the Constitution, which guaranteed human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with the core international human rights instruments. 6. During the reporting period, Tajikistan had submitted periodic reports to six treaty bodies and had received visits from the Special Rapporteur on disability of the Commission for Social Development, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. The Government had thoroughly reviewed all the recommendations issued by those human rights mechanisms, in close cooperation with representatives of civil society. Various national action plans had been developed for their implementation. 3