“All victims of human rights abuses should be able to look to the Human Rights Council as a forum and a springboard for action.” Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, 12 March 2007

A Tutorialon the

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

What is the Universal Periodic Review?A unique process that reviews the human rights

records of all 193 UN Member States

gives all States an opportunity to declare how they have improved their human rights situations

gives the UN a chance to address human rights violations, and to help States deal with human rights challenges.

Human Rights Council (HRC)

The HRC has the responsibility to remind States to respect and implement all human rights and freedoms. In 2006 it established the UPR as a tool to help it ensure that they do. Copy/ paste this HRC Website into your browser: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/HRCIndex.aspx

Why Learn About UPRs?

They are an entry point for UNANIMA membership into the UN review of our countries

They give us a chance for positive action in the area of human rights

They give us a way to hold our country accountable for promises

When / WhereDoes the Review Happen?

All UN Member States were reviewed in the “first cycle” from 2007-2011. A second cycle started in May 2012; 42 States will be reviewed each year.

The reviews take place in Geneva during the sessions of the UPR Working Group (see next slide) which meets three times a year.

Who Conducts the Review?

The reviews are conducted by the 47 members of the HRC, but any UN Member State can take part in the discussion.

The State under review is assisted by three States (a “troika”) drawn by lot. The troika supports / challenges the state under review, and ensures that the session proceeds in an orderly way.

How Does the Review Work?

During the 3 ½ hour session, any UN Member State can ask questions, or make comments / recommendations to the State under review.

The reviews are based on information provided by: 1) the State itself (its national report); 2) independent human rights experts or UN entities; 3) outside groups like NGOs or national human rights groups.

What Can NGOs Do?

NGO information can be used by any of the States taking part in the discussion.

NGOs can attend the UPR Working Group sessions and make statements to the HRC when the outcome of the State reviews are considered. Guidelines are here: “Technical guidelines for the submission of stakeholders”

Outcome of the Review??

An Outcome Report is prepared by the troika (with input from the State). It includes a summary, recommendations, and any response by the State.

The report is adopted at a regular session of the Human Rights Council. The State can respond.

Other States and NGOs also have an opportunity to make comments.

What is My Country Doing?

To see the documents on which the reviews are based go to the following link. (Note that only the countries are listed for which documents have already been prepared.) http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/Documentation.aspx

(Click on the link, or copy/ paste URL to your browser, scroll down, and select the country)

The slides that follow give a brief introduction

to a number of web pages that can assist in understanding

the UPR process and preparing information for a

Non-Government Organization (NGO) submission to a UPR.

This web page presents an introduction to the

Universal Periodic Review. It has a short video and

text in Spanish, French and English

 http://www.upr-info.org/-UPR-Process-.html

(click on link or copy/ paste URL to your browser)

This web page informs us about the Universal Periodic Review:

•basic facts, •how it came about, •how is it done, •what NGOs can do, •how human rights are

addressed,•follow- up to a UPR

 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/BasicFacts.aspx

This page gives a short video (in English, French or Spanish) that explains what NGOs can do in the UPR process; it suggests that you consult widely before you write a submission or submit information on human rights situations.

 http://www.upr-info.org/-NGOs-.html

How Do We* Submit a Statement?

Submissions are made* through a new On-line UPR system https://uprdoc.ohchr.org 

(*You can create an account if you are speaking for another organization, but for UNANIMA you must go through our office.)  

If you encounter technical problems please contact the UPR Submissions Helpdesk through this e-mail address: uprsubmissions@ohchr.org.

This page gives practical information on what to include in a

submission.http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/UPR/TechnicalGuideEN.pdf

The key points are: Promotion and protection of human rights

on the ground (at the “grassroots” level) Identification of achievements / challenges, and

human rights situations in the State The FORMAT of the submission When to submit it (late ones are not accepted!) How to submit it

UNANIMA’s Use of the UPR

UNANIMA cooperated with other NGOs to make a statement in the 2007-2011 UPR cycle, and is doing so in this current cycle.

You can find the national reports, reports by NGOs, and recommendations by Session and Country here: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/Documentation.aspx

Second cycle of sessions NGO Report Deadline Countries

18th session (Jan-Feb 2014) 17 June 2013 Chile18th session (Jan-Feb 2014) 17 June 2013 New Zealand18th session (Jan-Feb 2014) 24 June 2013 Slovakia19th session (Apr-May 2014) 1 September 2013 Dominica19th session (Apr-May 2014) 1 September 2013 Nicaragua20th session (Oct-Nov 2014) 1 February 2014 Bolivia22nd session (Apr-May 2015) 1 September 2014 USA23rd session (Oct-Nov 2015) 1 February 2015 Australia25th session (Apr-May) 2016) 1 September 2015 Antigua25th session (Apr-May) 2016) 1 September 2015 Ireland25th session (Apr-May) 2016) 1 September 2015 Papua/New Guinea25th session (Apr-May) 2016) 1 September 2015 Thailand26th session (Oct-Nov 2016) 1 February 2016 Zimbabwe

Schedule for Country Review

At this link you will find a list of all countries, with the dates of their review in the second cycle. From the previous slide, note that your input has to be given about eight months earlier. Find your country!

http:/www.upr-info.org/+Official-calendar-for-the-upr-2nd+html

With gratitude to

Celia Martin NDS for research

Morgan Jue & Tori Larson for proofreading

The International Presentation Association for some content and format