A/HRC/15/5 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its eighth session from 3 to 14 May 2010. The review of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was held at the 4th meeting, on 4 May 2010. The delegation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was headed by the ViceMinister for Foreign Affairs, Phongsavath Boupha. At its 8th meeting, held on 6 May 2010, the Working Group adopted the report on the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. 2. On 7 September 2009, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Argentina, Kyrgyzstan and Nigeria. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/8/LAO/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.6/8/LAO/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/8/LAO/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic through the Troika. Those 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. At the 4th meeting, on 4 May 2010, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs introduced the national report, prepared with the participation of civil society, the media, academia and other stakeholders. He emphasized that the engagement of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in the review process was part of its efforts to promote and protect human rights. He stated that the Lao multi-ethnic people had long suffered from colonialism and foreign aggression and had been liberated only after the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975. Since that time, fundamental human rights had been gradually restored and protected and were now guaranteed by the Constitution to all Lao citizens. 6. In order to ensure the prosperity and well-being of the Lao people, the Government had embarked on socio-economic development strategies and had recorded achievements such as an economic growth rate averaging 7 per cent annually; a per capita income of more than $900 in 2009, compared with less than $200 in the 1970s; and a reduction in poverty from 49 per cent in 1990 to about 25 per cent in 2009. The school enrolment rate had exceeded 90 per cent, and the literacy rate of people older than 15 was now almost 80 per cent. The infant and maternal mortality rates had considerably decreased, and life expectancy had risen to more than 60 years. 3