A/HRC/10/80 page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its third session from 1 to 15 December 2008. The review of Burkina Faso was held at the 12th meeting, on 9 December 2008. The delegation of Burkina Faso was headed by S.E. Mrs. Salamata Sawadogo, Minister for the Promotion of Human Rights. At its meeting on 11 December 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Burkina Faso. 2. On 8 September 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Burkina Faso: Switzerland, Qatar and Madagascar. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Burkina Faso: (a) A national report submitted made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/BFA/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.6/3/BFA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/3/BFA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden was transmitted to Burkina Faso 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 third meeting, held on 9 December 2008, Her Excellency Ms. Salamata Sawadogo, Minister for the Promotion of Human Rights, made a statement introducing the national report. 6. After congratulating the President and members of the Human Rights Council on their election and Ms. Pillay on her appointment as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Minister said that the national report of Burkina Faso was the outcome of a broad-based consultation with all stakeholders in the country, including civil society. 7. With regard to the normative framework, she said that the Constitution enshrined the basic rights and obligations of persons, non-discrimination and gender equality and the principle of the precedence of international treaties and agreements over national legislation. 8. As part of efforts to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights, new public institutions had been established, and she drew the Working Group’s attention to the following in particular.