The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process that involves a review of the human rights records of all 192 UN member states once every four years. Under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, each state declares what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations. As one of the main features of the Council, the UPR is designed to ensure equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed.

The UPR was created through the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council itself. It is a cooperative process which, by 2011, will have reviewed the human rights records of every country. Currently, no other universal mechanism of this kind exists.

The reviews are conducted by the UPR Working Group, which consists of the 47 members of the Council; however, any UN member state can take part in the discussion/dialogue with the reviewed states.

The documents on which the reviews are based are:

1. provided by the state under review
2. contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups
3. from other stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and national human rights institutions 

A unique opportunity for civil society participation

NGOs can submit information that can be added to the "other stakeholders” report considered during the review. Civil society has an important role to play in gathering information, monitoring human rights violations, and following up with their governments in the interim between each review.

Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Selected learning materials

Information and guidelines for relevant stakeholders on the Universal Periodic Review mechanism
These guidelines outline the UPR process and provide instructions on the procedure to prepare a written submission, including detailed formatting requirements.

Working with the United Nations Human Rights Programme: A Handbook for Civil Society
This handbook explains the structure and operation of the UN human rights system available for civil society to collaborate with, including treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council, Special Procedures, the Universal Periodical Review, and channels for communications and reporting of human rights violations.

Simple Guide to the Treaty Bodies
The guide is designed to assist NGOs to understand the system of UN treaty bodies. It includes an explanation of how the treaty bodies interact with the Human Rights Council via the Universal Periodic Review.

 
Useful links

UPR-info.org

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

UN Human Rights Council

Live Webcast of UPR

International Service for Human Rights

Deadlines for submission of information to UPR (OHCHR)

The Role of NGOs at the UPR  (UPR-Info)

The United Nations Human Rights System

On 22 October 2009 HREA organised the webinar "Civil Society and the UPR" which featured guest speaker Julie de Rivero, Geneva Advocacy Director of Human Rights Watch. Download de Rivero's powerpoint.

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