A/HRC/49/15 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-ninth session from 1 to 12 November 2021. The review of Antigua and Barbuda was held at the 10th meeting, on 8 November 2021. The delegation of Antigua and Barbuda was headed by the Crown Solicitor at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Vanessa Moe. At its 15th meeting, held on 12 November 2021, the Working Group adopted the report on Antigua and Barbuda. 2. On 12 January 2021, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Antigua and Barbuda: Bahrain, Togo and Uruguay. 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 Antigua and Barbuda: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a);1 (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b); 2 (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c). 3 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Liechtenstein, Panama, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Antigua and Barbuda 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 recalled that Antigua and Barbuda was a twin-island developing State and a democratic country governed by laws, including the Constitution as the supreme law. The Constitution enshrines the fundamental principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 6. Antigua and Barbuda was committed to promoting and protecting human rights and was constantly reviewing its laws and policies to ensure that they are in accordance with international human rights standards. It had acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 7. Hurricane Irma had devastated the island of Barbuda when it had hit in September 2017 as a category 5 hurricane. The damage had been horrendous, and 90 per cent of buildings had been destroyed. With the help of United Nations agencies and support from international partners, the rebuilding effort was under way and had been successful for the most part. Despite the devastation, Antigua and Barbuda had experienced steady economic growth in 2018 and 2019. 8. Like the rest of the world, Antigua and Barbuda had been significantly affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as a result of the collapse of the global travel industry following COVID-19 containment measures. The international tourism industry, which was the main driver of growth, income and employment in Antigua and Barbuda, had been severely adversely affected. 1 2 3 2 A/HRC/WG.6/39/ATG/1. A/HRC/WG.6/39/ATG/2. A/HRC/WG.6/39/ATG/3.