A/HRC/26/12 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 eighteenth session from 27 January to 7 February 2014. The review of Slovakia was held at the 11th meeting on 3 February 2014. The delegation of Slovakia was headed by Peter Javorčík, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. At its 17th meeting held on 6 February 2014, the Working Group adopted the report on Slovakia. 2. On 15 January 2014, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Slovakia: Ethiopia, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. 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 Slovakia: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/18/SVK/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.6/18/SVK/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/18/SVK/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Slovakia 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. In its introductory remarks, the delegation of Slovakia expressed the view that the outcome of the universal periodic review provided national authorities with important guidance on how to enhance the protection of human rights, which was one of the main strengths of the review process. 6. The delegation made a brief presentation of its national report, with a focus on how the recommendations from the first cycle of the universal periodic review had been addressed and on the main developments that had taken place in the last four years. As a follow-up to the first cycle, all recommendations had been subject to thorough consideration by the relevant national authorities. A number of legislative and practical measures had been adopted to implement those recommendations during the reporting period. 7. While acknowledging the remaining challenges in some areas, the delegation expressed the commitment of the Government of Slovakia to continuing its efforts to achieve further progress in the institutional and legal framework related to human rights. Furthermore, the delegation reiterated the commitment of the Government to continuing the dialogue with civil society, including by involving its representatives in discussions on policies and programmes relating to human rights. 3