A/HRC/52/12 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its forty-first session from 7 to 18 November 2022. The review of Algeria was held at the 9th meeting, on 11 November 2022. The delegation of Algeria was headed by Ministre de la justice, Garde des sceaux, Abderrachid Tabi. At its 16th meeting, held on 16 November 2022, the Working Group adopted the report on Algeria. 2. On 12 January 2022, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Algeria: Brazil, Eritrea and Pakistan. 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 Algeria: (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 Angola, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Liechtenstein, Panama, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Algeria 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. In his statement, the Minister of Justice said that the report submitted by Algeria for the fourth cycle of the universal periodic review reflected the progress that had been achieved since the previous report, presented in May 2017. He reaffirmed the State’s firm commitment to strengthening and protecting human rights worldwide, including the rights of colonized peoples and peoples under foreign control, out of a duty of solidarity with victims and the voiceless. 6. The Minister of Justice referred to various events that had taken place in Algeria since the previous cycle of the universal periodic review, including the popular movement known as the Hirak that had begun on 22 February 2019. This movement had been an extraordinary test on account of the peaceful nature of the demonstrations, the scale of the mobilization and the inspiration for the movement, which had transcended partisan differences, the concerns of specific associations, and personal interests. The Hirak had also been the starting point for a process of collective realization that had enabled the people of Algeria to reclaim public space and the political landscape by resolutely opposing the many excesses that had been the norm for too long. 7. The Minister of Justice mentioned the broad consultations that had been launched with a view to responding to the demands of the Hirak regarding State institutions and bringing about gradual change from within while preserving the continuity, territorial unity, independence and stability of the State. 1 2 3 2 A/HRC/WG.6/41/DZA/1. A/HRC/WG.6/41/DZA/2. A/HRC/WG.6/41/DZA/3. GE.22-27762