A/HRC/11/20 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 Azerbaijan was held at the 6th meeting on 4 February 2009. The delegation of Azerbaijan was headed by H.E. Mr. Khalaf Khalafov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. At its meeting held on 6 February 2009, the Working Group adopted the present report on Azerbaijan. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Azerbaijan: Saudi Arabia, Slovenia and Mauritius. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Azerbaijan: (a) A national report submitted / written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/AZE/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/AZE/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/4/AZE/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Azerbaijan through the troika. These questions are available on the UPR extranet. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 6th meeting, on 4 February 2009, Azerbaijan presented its national report and indicated that it was drafted by a working group encompassing relevant ministries and authorities with the involvement of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) as well as human rights NGOs. 6. Azerbaijan informed that international human rights instruments were domesticated through political and legal measures and that the primacy of human rights led to regular changes of the legislation. The 2002 Referendum Act amending the Constitution granted individuals the right to challenge in the Constitutional Court statutory instruments of the legislative and executive authorities, enactments of municipalities and courts that allegedly encroached on their rights. 7. The delegation referred to the Presidential Decree on measures to uphold human rights and freedoms, the State programme and the national action plan on human rights protection which is coordinated by a working group chaired by the Ombudsman with the active involvement of civil society. A referendum will be held in 2009 on amendments to the Constitution aimed at reinforcing human rights protection.