A/HRC/40/14 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-first session from 5 to 16 November 2018. The review of Belize was held at the 12th meeting, on 12 November 2018. The delegation of Belize was headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Patrick Andrews. At its 17th meeting, held on 15 November 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Belize. 2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Belize: Ecuador, Nigeria and Qatar. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Belize: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/31/BLZ/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.6/31/BLZ/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/31/BLZ/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Brazil, Liechtenstein, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Uruguay was transmitted to Belize through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation stated that Belize looked forward to constructively engaging with the member States of the Working Group in order to receive insights on how to overcome some of the challenges faced by the country in the implementation of the recommendations. 6. The preparation of its report for the universal periodic review had provided Belize with an unparalleled opportunity to reflect on the significance of human rights in the context of its national development. Since the previous review, Belize had become party to several international human rights treaties. It remained committed to providing timely reports to international human rights mechanisms; delayed submission was a reflection of inadequate technical, financial and human capacity. 7. To address the issue of late reporting, Belize was cooperating with the United Nations Development Programme to build capacity in that area. Belize was conscious of the importance of a national mechanism for the implementation, reporting and follow-up to the recommendations formulated by international human rights mechanisms and had scheduled consultations with both the public sector and civil society to prepare a draft fiveyear plan on fulfilling reporting obligations and following up on recommendations. 8. The delegation acknowledged the need for an independent human rights institution in Belize. The Government had commissioned a feasibility study on the matter and requested support from OHCHR. Although Belize did not have a single overarching national human rights institution, it had a number of specialized institutions, particularly focusing on the rights of women, children, the elderly and persons living with HIV. Additionally, the Office of the Ombudsman received and investigated complaints in relation to any public authority. 2