A/HRC/32/15 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fourth session from 18 to 29 January 2016. The review of Latvia was held at the 13th meeting on 26 January 2016. The delegation of Latvia was headed by the State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrejs Pildegovičs. At its 17th meeting, held on 28 January 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Latvia. 2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Latvia: Ethiopia, Germany and Indonesia. 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 Latvia: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/LVA/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.6/24/LVA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/LVA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Latvia 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. Latvia emphasized its strong support for the peer review process and that it would continue its active and constructive participation in the Working Group. The national report had been elaborated by an inter-institutional working group in consultation with nongovernmental organizations and the Office of the Ombudsman. Latvia thanked States that had sent questions in advance. 6. Latvia reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Its history had taught it that freedom and human rights should never be taken for granted. The protection of human rights had been an indispensable part of it foreign and domestic policies, since it regained its independence in 1990 after decades of Soviet occupation. Its commitment in the field of human rights had been demonstrated by its accession to the major United Nations human rights instruments and the regular submission of reports to their monitoring mechanisms. Its human rights’ record was thus regularly scrutinized, including through the European regional mechanisms. 7. Latvia stated that it was proud to have been a member of the Human Rights Council since 2015. It had continued its long-term initiative to encourage States to issue a standing invitation to all the special procedures. 3