A/HRC/11/27 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 fourth session from 2 to 13 February 2009. The review of Mexico was held at the 13th meeting on 10 February 2009. The delegation of Mexico was headed by H.E. Sr. Fernando GÓMEZ-MONT, Minister of Interior. At its meeting held on 13 February 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report on Mexico. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Mexico: Nicaragua, Pakistan and South Africa. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Mexico: (a) A national report submitted / written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/MEX/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.6/4/MEX/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/MEX/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Mexico through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the third meeting, on 10 February 2009, the Minister of Interior of Mexico presented the national report. He explained that Mexico participates in the UPR mechanism out of conviction that promoting and protecting human rights is a non-renounceable obligation and a universal ethical imperative and that cooperation with the international human rights mechanisms is an invaluable tool to foster internal structural changes. 6. He indicated that legislators and officials of autonomous human rights bodies were present in the room, as well as Mexican non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He recognized remaining challenges, mainly: strengthening the rule of law, so that security and justice institutions are fully capable of protecting all citizens and human rights are fulfilled in a context of authentic democratic governance; and overcoming the inequalities that characterize the Mexican society, particularly through poverty reduction and eradication of extreme poverty. 7. Mexico’s democratic consolidation has profoundly transformed political, legal and social institutions, resulting in effective separation of powers; a broad network of public human rights bodies; a more active and participative civil society; the strengthening and harmonization of the legal and institutional framework for promoting and protecting human rights; and full cooperation with and openness to international mechanisms of human rights scrutiny.