A/HRC/16/7 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its ninth session from 1 to 12 November 2010. The review of Maldives was held at the 5th meeting, on 3 November 2010. The delegation of Maldives was headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Shaeed. At its meeting, held on 5 November 2010, the Working Group adopted the report on Maldives. 2. On 21 June 2010, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Maldives: Ecuador, Ghana and Jordan. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Maldives: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/9/MDV/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.6/9/MDV/2) and a corrigendum (A/HRC/WG.6/9/MDV/2/Corr.1); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/9/MDV/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Maldives through the troika. Those questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process 5. During the interactive dialogue, statements were made by 49 delegations. A number of delegations commended Maldives for the self-critical approach taken in its national report and presentation, and noted the broad consultation process with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, in the preparation of the national report. Several delegations also noted with appreciation the country’s transition to democracy and the holding of elections and the enactment of a new Constitution in 2008. Recommendations made during the interactive dialogue are listed in chapter II of the present report. A. Presentation by the State under review 6. Maldives acknowledged the great value of the universal periodic review process, which provided an opportunity for a small nation of 350,000 people to listen to the views of other States and to be guided by them. It stated that both the Human Rights Commission of Maldives and non-governmental organizations had played key roles in helping the Government to prepare the national report. 7. Maldives had its first-ever democratically elected Government, sworn in after a peaceful ballot and an orderly transfer of power. Maldives had a new Constitution, which guaranteed full enjoyment of human rights for all. There was effective separation of powers among the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and there were independent courts, political parties, a free press, registered human rights non-governmental organizations, and the National Human Rights Commission. 3