A/HRC/48/17 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-eighth session from 3 to 14 May 2021. The review of Sierra Leone was held at the 16th meeting, on 12 May 2021. The delegation of Sierra Leone was headed by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Anthony Yeihwoe Brewah. At its 17th meeting, held on 14 May 2021, the Working Group adopted the report on Sierra Leone. 2. On 12 January 2021, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Sierra Leone: China, Libya and Mexico. 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 Sierra Leone: (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 Belgium, Canada, Germany, Liechtenstein, Panama, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Spain, Sweden and the United States of America was transmitted to Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone had made significant efforts to improve the human rights situation in its territory since its second universal periodic review in 2016, and had implemented many recommendations. However, those related to consensual same-sex relationships among adults and to female genital mutilation had been noted, as they conflicted with Sierra Leonean laws and cultural values. 6. Challenges persisted regarding persons with disabilities, who continued to experience some challenges in Sierra Leone, in the areas of health care, employment, transportation and education. Newly adopted measures in this regard included the “Visibility of Disability” policy to mainstream disability issues at all levels of national life. This policy had been developed with the participation of civil society organizations. The National Rehabilitation Programme had also been adopted to deliver technology-assisted services for enhancing mobility for persons with disabilities. 7. Protection of the rights of children, persons with disabilities, women, and other persons in vulnerable situations was central to the country’s Medium-term National Development Plan for 2019–2023. In addition, a comprehensive mapping of Sierra Leonean domestic legislation had been developed, from a gender perspective. The mapping was aimed at reviewing legislation affecting women and girls and had been carried out in consultation with the International Development Law Organization and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women). Furthermore, a Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy had been developed. 1 2 3 2 A/HRC/WG.6/38/SLE/1. A/HRC/WG.6/38/SLE/2. A/HRC/WG.6/38/SLE/3.