A/HRC/48/14 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 Seychelles was held at the 12th meeting, on 10 May 2021. The delegation of Seychelles was headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde. At its 17th meeting, held on 14 May 2021, the Working Group adopted the report on Seychelles. 2. On 12 January 2021, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Seychelles: Bulgaria, Cuba and Nepal. 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 Seychelles: (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 Canada, Germany, Liechtenstein, Panama, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Seychelles 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 of Seychelles stated that the universal periodic review was an important exercise that provided a platform for countries to exchange best practices, share ideas and collaborate towards the full realization of human rights for all persons. As a small island nation, Seychelles faced significant challenges, which had worsened because of the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, but the people of Seychelles were resilient and resourceful, with the capacity to surmount them. 6. The new Government, which had taken office in October 2020, was committed to continuing to foster human rights, social justice, equality and non-discrimination among all Seychellois. The Seychellois Charter of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms provided for the protection and promotion of human rights of all persons within the territory of Seychelles. In addition, article 27 of the Constitution provided for the equal protection of all persons, regardless of gender, race, nationality, age, skin colour, sexual orientation or political beliefs. 7. Seychelles considered that to empower society it was crucial to empower women and girls. While it acknowledged the existence of gender stereotypes, it had ensured that they had not become a structural barrier within the educational system. As a result, over the past five years, girls had enrolled in education programmes traditionally dominated by males, thereby addressing the underrepresentation of females in currently male-dominated careers. In 2016, Seychelles had launched its National Gender Policy. The Policy had 11 thematic areas and a set of goals and objectives for the achievement of gender equality and gender mainstreaming. 8. In 2020, Seychelles had enacted the Children (Amendment) Act, which further ensured the protection of children in the country through the abolition of corporal punishment 1 2 3 2 A/HRC/WG.6/38/SYC/1. A/HRC/WG.6/38/SYC/2. A/HRC/WG.6/38/SYC/3.