What is the UPR?

Summary

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a key United Nations mechanism designed to enhance human rights across its 193 member states through a five-year cycle. This process consists of three stages: a review in Geneva, implementation of recommendations, and an assessment of progress at the next review. It relies on national reports prepared by states, a compilation of data from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and summaries from national institutions. By involving civil society and ensuring a comprehensive approach to various human rights issues, the UPR promotes accountability and collaboration in improving human rights globally.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a UN mechanism aimed at enhancing human rights across all 193 member states.
• 📅 The UPR operates on a five-year cycle and involves three key stages: review, implementation, and assessment.
• 📄 Each review is supported by three main documents: a national report, a compilation of information from UN bodies, and a summary by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
• 🔍 The review process includes a three-and-a-half-hour session in Geneva where the state under review is evaluated by a working group of all UN member and observer states.
• ✅ During the review, the working group issues recommendations for improving the human rights situation in the state being evaluated.
• 📊 On average, the review results in about 200 recommendations for the state under review.
• 📝 The draft report of recommendations is adopted by the working group shortly after the review and formally adopted by the Human Rights Council a few months later.
• 📣 States must indicate which recommendations they support and which ones they note during the adoption stage.
• 🌍 The UPR is inclusive and considers all human rights, ranging from political rights to economic, social, and cultural rights, regardless of a state's size or human rights record.
• 🤝 Civil society, national institutions, media, and citizens play a crucial role in providing information and supporting the implementation of recommendations.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)?

The UPR aims to improve the human rights situation in each of the 193 UN member states through a systematic review process.

How often does the UPR process occur?

The UPR process occurs every five years for each member state.

What are the three key stages of the UPR process?

The three key stages are: 1) Review in Geneva, 2) Implementation of recommendations, and 3) Assessment at the next review.

What is reviewed during the session in Geneva?

During the Geneva session, the human rights situation of the state under review is assessed by a working group of UN member states.

How long does the review of each state last during the Geneva session?

Each state is reviewed for three and a half hours.

What types of documents support each review in the UPR process?

Three main documents support each review: a national report from the state, a compilation of information from the OHCHR, and a summary based on inputs from national institutions and civil society.

What role do civil society and national institutions play in the UPR?

Civil society and national institutions provide information before the review and help assess and support the implementation of recommendations.

How does the UPR ensure a universal approach to human rights?

The UPR is universal as it includes all UN member states and addresses all human rights, ranging from political rights to economic, social, and cultural rights.

What is the outcome of the review process in Geneva?

The outcome includes a draft report with recommendations for improving human rights, which is formally adopted by the Human Rights Council after the review.

What happens to the recommendations made during the UPR?

The state under review must indicate which recommendations it supports and which it notes for future consideration.