Introduction to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

 

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was created through Resolution 60/251 of the United Nations General Assembly, the same body that implemented the Human Rights Council.

This new procedure directly concerns civil society actors as well as actors in the field of education. As a matter of fact, resolution 5/1 calls for NGOs to participate actively through the UPR.

In order for civil society to act effectively and constructively, information must be widely available and any action undertaken must be monitored and evaluated. Furthermore, the work carried out by regional and national NGOs must complement one another, skill development on a local level must be supported and the professionalization of NGO employees wishing to offset the power of State representatives must be encouraged.

 

History

Origine de l'EPU

During the 3rd International Meeting of Human Rights Education Experts organised by CIFEDHOP in 2007, the first president of the Human Rights Council, Mr. Luis Alfonso de Alba, gave a presentation on the origins of the UPR. The idea of a UPR was proposed by the Canadian delegation. This idea was in turn supported by Switzerland, however, Mexico was opposed since the Canadian proposal was limited to a mere review process lasting approximately one hour. With little substance, the proposal never received any backing from the UN headquarters in New York. In addition, other countries were opposed to the actual idea of a UPR to the extent that the project was nearly abandoned all together. Thanks to the efforts of the Latin American nations, it remained on the agenda. According to Mr. de Alba, this was followed up by abandoning the Canadian proposal of informal discussions in order to attain something more binding and permanent. The ensuing resolution on the UPR is a step in this direction, a review that would be universal and held on a regular basis.

Rules of Procedure

The 47 Member states of the Council must appear before the Working Group in charge of the UPR every four years (see calendar for the 1st review cycle, 2008-2011). Each State will submit its own report. The High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) will then add a summary of references on the human rights situation in nations under review by UN organs through the UPR. The HCHR will also include a summary of other pertinent sources.

Each State will be allotted three-hours of discussion time. Afterwards, a “troika” made up of three States, each one from a different region of the world, will submit their conclusions and recommendations during the plenary session of the Council. The goal of this procedure is to assist each State in holding up its obligations and commitments to human rights.

This procedure is different from the previous ones already in existence, such as the Convention Committees. It is more of a political dialogue between State representatives, rather than legal experts, aiming to assist each State in holding up its obligations and commitments to human rights. Read the “Information Note for National Human Rights Institutions on the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism”

Contributions from NGOs and Civil Society

Actors in the field of education and civil society are directly affected by the UPR procedure. First of all, they will be called on to promote dialogue with respect to their collected information, which will be considerably shortened in the High Commissioner’s report on other related sources. Secondly, the report submitted by the State must be prepared in collaboration with society, as recommended by resolution 5/1. Various measures exist in order for NGOs to participate in the UPR.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that civil society in each country is informed, prepared and encouraged early enough to contribute to this review as well as national dialogues. In addition to the mobilisation of organisations already involved in the protection and promotion of human rights, this collaboration with the public also requires a mobilisation of actors in the fields of education, training and information. All of these actors must remain active during discussions in Geneva and follow up by reporting on conclusions and recommendations and monitor them in the field.

Read (in French) the report on the 3rd International Meeting of Experts on Human Rights Education held in Geneva in 2007, whose theme was Spreading the Law and Participating in the UPR of the Human Rights Concil: The Role of Actors in the Fields of Civil Society and Education.

Means of Action for NGOs

There are many ways for NGOs to participate in the UPR:

The site upr-info.org describes in detail the means of action at the disposal of NGOs at each step of the procedure. The International Federation of ACAT provides (in French) a Practical Guide for Participating in the UPR (PDF format).

Follow-up of UPR recommendations

UPR.info suggest a list of Best practices to the follow-up of UPR recommendations. 

 

Information on the Universal Periodic Review's follow-up

UPR Info & Child Rights Connect relased an information sheet for NGOs on the Universal Periodic Review's follow-up.

Download : Follow-up to the Universal Periodic Review Information for NGOs

UPR process in video

See the video posted by UPR.info on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZN8xldO8Io&list=TLrd1SnxC8mDo