A/HRC/8/34 Page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its first session from 7 to 18 April 2008. The review of Argentina was held at the 16th meeting on 16 April 2008. The delegation of Argentina was headed by H.E. Mr. Eduardo Luis Duhalde, Human Rights Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Security and Human Rights. For the composition of the delegation, composed of 11 members, see appendix below. At its 17th meeting held on 18 April 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Argentina. 2. On 28 February 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Argentina: Ukraine, Cuba, and Cameroon. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Argentina: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/ARG/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.6/1/ARG/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/ARG/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Argentina 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. At the 16th meeting, on 16 April 2008, the representative of Argentina introduced the national report. Argentina understands the policy of human rights promotion and protection not only as policies to comply with the international human rights norms but also the fulfilment of the ethical foundations of the State with regard to the Argentine society. Addressing the problems of human rights is strategically important for democratic governance, including the review of the past and the fight against impunity. At present, hundreds of cases of crimes against humanity committed during the military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983 have been reopened. The qualitative change that Argentina is living in the fight against impunity is the result of the political, legal and ethical determination of the three powers of the State and the determined demands from civil society and the struggle of the human rights movement for more than 30 years, to seek truth and justice. Tribute was paid to the efforts of organizations of the human rights movement, in particular to the Mothers and Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, converted already into a universal symbol. Argentina noted that the reference period in the fight against impunity has been expanded to cover also crimes against humanity committed before the military dictatorship. Argentina is working together with major sectors of the civil society in order to build confidence in the rule of law and democratic institutions, which are essential. The conviction that these objectives require short, medium and long term measures have led Argentina to the elaboration of a document entitled “Basis for a national human rights plan”. Since 2003, the Office of the Secretary for Human Rights has