A/HRC/27/7 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its nineteenth session from 28 April to 9 May 2014. The review of Portugal was held at the 5th meeting, on 30 April 2014. The delegation of Portugal was headed by Mr. Bruno Maçães, Secretary of State for European Affairs and Ms. Teresa Morais, Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Equality. At its 10th meeting, held on 2 May 2014, the Working Group adopted the report on Portugal. 2. On 15 January 2014, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Portugal: Brazil, the Philippines and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Portugal: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/19/PRT/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.6/19/PRT/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/19/PRT/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Portugal through the troika. Those questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation said that Portugal strongly supported the UPR process, as a unique and ambitious tool of the Human Rights Council. The outcome of the 2009 review and its implementation had broadly contributed to the improvement of the human rights situation in Portugal. The country’s longstanding commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights should be underscored. 6. Despite the current economic and financial crisis, the Government of Portugal was deeply committed to implementing its human rights obligations and had adopted measures to minimize the impact of austerity, particularly on the most vulnerable persons. The adoption of the Social Emergency Programme in October 2011 should be highlighted. 7. It was a matter of pride for Portugal to inform the Working Group that all of the 86 recommendations accepted in 2009 had been implemented, or were being implemented. 8. The National Human Rights Commission had been established in April 2010. It enhanced coordination and information-sharing, bringing together Government and civil society in promoting an integrated approach to human rights. The Commission had proved its efficiency by making possible the timely submission of all national reports on 3