A/HRC/19/2 (b) The compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/ISL/2); (c) The summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/12/ISL/3). 675. At its 40th meeting, on 15 March 2012, the Human Rights Council considered and adopted the outcome of the review of Iceland (see section C below). 676. The outcome of the review of Iceland comprises the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (A/HRC/19/13), the views of Iceland concerning the recommendations and/or conclusions, and its voluntary commitments and replies presented before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group (see also A/HRC/19/13/Add.1). 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, its voluntary commitments and the outcome 677. The delegation stated that it was a great honour to address the Human Rights Council on the adoption of the report on Iceland’s first universal periodic review, and a privilege to engage in an open and encouraging dialogue on the promotion and protection of human rights. 678. The first cycle of the universal periodic review had proven that the mechanism could be a valuable tool to further enhance the protection of human rights. As the Minister for the Interior of Iceland, Ögmundur Jónasson, had stated during the presentation of the State’s report in October 2011, the process was an opportunity for States to support each other to reflect and to increase the focus on the national application of human rights obligations. The experience gained and lessons learned in the first cycle of the universal periodic review had shown promise for the second cycle. 679. The universal periodic review was a valuable instrument for the Government of Iceland, as it reviewed the legal and practical implementation of human rights instruments in a systematic manner with a view to reporting at both the international and national levels. This work was valuable for further national dialogue on how Iceland, as a society, could best ensure human rights at every level. On behalf of the Government of Iceland, the delegation extended its gratitude to States for the constructive criticism, encouragement, advice and recommendations received. 680. During its universal periodic review, Iceland had received 84 recommendations, which focused on equality and non-discrimination, racism and intolerance, gender pay gaps, violence against women and children, improvements in the prison system, international human rights obligations and improvements to the structural mechanism for the protection of human rights. Many of the recommendations addressed challenging areas where the Government of Iceland recognized the need for further action which, in some instances, were consistent with ongoing legislative reform. 681. On International Human Rights Day, in December 2011, the Ministry of the Interior had hosted a public event during which the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review was presented; an open dialogue with civil society and the public regarding the position of the Government on the recommendations in the report had ensued. Following this public consultation, the report was posted on the website of the Ministry of the Interior for further examination and comments. 682. The delegation stated that, as evident from the addendum to the report of the Working Group, the Government of Iceland had accepted some recommendations, converted some recommendations into voluntary commitments, and reflected those GE.13-14768 235