A/HRC/8/19 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 Bahrain was held at the 1st meeting held on 7 April 2008. The delegation of Bahrain was headed by H.E. Mr. Nizar Albaharna. For the composition of the delegation, composed of 31 members, see appendix below. At its 6th meeting held on 9 April 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Bahrain. 2. On 28 February 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Bahrain: Slovenia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Bahrain: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/BHR/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/BHR/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/1/BHR/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Italy, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland was transmitted to Bahrain 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 1st meeting, on 7 April 2008, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Nizar Albaharna, presented the national report of Bahrain. Bahrain was deeply committed to human rights and at the forefront of United Nations reform efforts that led to the creation of the Human Rights Council and the UPR. It welcomed its selection, by drawing of lots, as the first State to undergo the review, and regards this as a privilege and a responsibility. The strength and size of its delegation is one indicator of how seriously it takes the UPR. The national report has been prepared through a process that sought the full involvement of the country, and civil society has been consulted in the process of its preparation. Bahrain had also developed a media and communications strategy to raise public awareness and encourage participation in all aspects of the UPR process. 6. Bahrain then addressed questions raised in advance by some of the countries. It responded that (a) civil society had been consulted on the preparation of the national report; (b) the reform programme culminating in the adoption in 2002 of the National Charter confirmed the principles of equality, non-discrimination and the rule of law and democracy; (c) the people of Bahrain enjoy equality before the law without discrimination, as manifested in the coexistence of different religions and other creeds; (d) public assembly is recognized in accordance with the law, however, if the meeting is non-peaceful or is harmful for public security, it would not be permitted; (e) that there is cooperation between Government and NGOs, and if NGOs or human rights defenders have