Universal Periodic Review: Making the most of it. Dr Purna Sen London School of Economics

Transcription

1 Universal Periodic Review: Making the most of it

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3 Why UPR? CHR tarnished Usual suspects Uneven attention Questions about impact

4 HRC Resolution 5/1 B 1 Principles 1.3(m) Ensure the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions D 1 Documentation 15.a States are encouraged to prepare the information through a broad consultation process at the national level with all relevant stakeholders

5 Objectives of the UPR 5/1 The improvement of the human rights situation on the ground The fulfilment of the State's human rights obligations and commitments and assessment of positive developments and challenges faced by the State The enhancement of the State's capacity and of technical assistance, in consultation with, and with the consent of, the State concerned The sharing of best practice among States and other stakeholders Support for cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights The encouragement of full cooperation and engagement with the Council, other human rights bodies and OHCHR

6 UPR a brief outline 1 Towards improvement of the lived reality of human rights Level playing field All states follow the same process All states have the same constraints and possibilities A co-operative process State, UN and stakeholder voices Complementary to other HR procedures

7 UPR a brief outline 2 Consultation (collaboration, co-operation) Geneva dialogue Three documents as basis for discussion Comments, questions and recommendations SUR (state) responses Acceptance, rejection of recommendations Implementation of recommendations Return reporting after four and a half years

8 UPR: A cyclical process Geneva dialogue (2) Follow up/ Implementation Preparation (1)(4) (3)

9 CW NHRIs that submitted reports (11) (2008-9) Canada India Ghana Mauritius Nigeria UK (N. Ireland HRC) Cameroon Kenya Malaysia New Zealand South Africa

10 CW Stakeholder submissions: National 111 International 212 Total 323 countries with no national stakeholder reports reports 14 New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Canada 60 In more stakeholder reports 11 national and 1 joint national/international

11 Making UPR work - general Participate in consultation (NGOs, NHRIs, parliamentarians eg Germany) Submit reports Watch webcast/s Attend interactive dialogue Provide questions and recommendations to the working group Advocate for implementation of accepted recommendations Advocate for re-consideration of rejected recommendations Raise awareness of UPR

12 Making UPR work - parliamentarians Parliamentarians: form a link between civil society and government Actively create space for dialogue with stakeholders and advocate for inclusion of outcomes in next report Raise questions in parliament Create a human rights committee Promote/realise legislative commitments Get media coverage/ engagement Work with other parliamentarians (international? regional?) Seek and highlight linkages development, poverty, gender equality, democracy Include UPR in annual parliamentary reporting Raise awareness of HR / UPR among colleagues