The 33rd session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) came to a close on 17^th May. The UPR is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council which scrutinises the human rights records of the UN Member States. The Permanent Representation of Malta to the United Nations participated actively in the reviews of Albania, Brunei, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Portugal and Nicaragua and made recommendations to improve the situation of the rights of children, safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups with a special focus on the LGBTI community, further advance protections from violence against women and promote freedom of religion or belief.