Info note
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This preliminary note aims at informing NGOs
and providing them with some guidance on the way they may contribute to
the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the new review mechanism
established by the Human Rights Council in Resolution 5/1 of 18 June
2007. Further suggested guidelines on NGO participation in the UPR will
be provided by the OHCHR Civil Society Unit.
General Assembly Resolution 60/251, which created the
Human Rights Council, decided that the Council shall “undertake a
universal periodic review, based on objective and reliable information,
of the fulfillment by each State of its human rights obligations and
commitments in a manner which ensures universality of coverage and
equal treatment with respect to all States; the review shall be a
cooperative mechanism, based on an interactive dialogue, with the full
involvement of the country concerned and with consideration given to
its capacity-building needs; such a mechanism shall complement and not
duplicate the work of treaty bodies (…)”. (article 5 (e))
The basis of the review, its principles and
objectives, its process and modalities, as well as the outcome of the
review are outlined in Resolution 5/1, adopted by the HRC on 18 June
2007, and contained in the Report of the fifth regular session (the
so-called ‘institution-building package') available in all six UN languages
at the following link: http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/
Resolution 5/1 allows for an active engagement of NGOs
in the UPR mechanism. The UPR shall “ensure the participation of
all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and
national human rights institutions, in accordance with General Assembly
resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and Economic and Social Council
resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996, as well as any decisions that the
Council may take in this regard” . (Paragraph 3 (m))
1. Objectives of the UPR
The objectives of the review are: (a) The improvement
of the human rights situation on the ground; (b) The fulfillment of the
State's human rights obligations and commitments and assessment of
positive developments and challenges faced by the State; (c) The
enhancement of the State's capacity and of technical assistance, in
consultation with, and with the consent of, the State concerned; (d)
The sharing of best practice among States and other stakeholders; (e)
Support for cooperation in the promotion and protection of human
rights; (f) The encouragement of full cooperation and engagement with
the Council, other human rights bodies and OHCHR.
2. Basis
According to Resolution 5/1, the documents on which
the review would be based are:
1- Information prepared by the State concerned, which
can take the form of a national report, on the basis of General
Guidelines adopted by the HRC at its 6th session, and any other
information considered relevant by the State concerned, which could be
presented either orally or in written, provided that the written
presentation summarizing the information will not exceed 20 pages.
2- Additionally a compilation prepared by OHCHR of the
information contained in the reports of treaty bodies, special
procedures, including observations and comments by the State concerned,
and other relevant official UN documents, which shall not exceed 10
pages.
3- Additional, credible and reliable information
provided by other relevant stakeholders to the UPR which should also be
taken into consideration by the Council in the review. OHCHR will
prepare a summary of such information which shall not exceed 10 pages. Other
relevant stakeholders include NGOs.
The documents prepared by OHCHR shall follow the
structure of the General
Guidelines regarding information prepared by the State
concerned, which were adopted by the HRC at its 6th session.
3. Process
The UPR review will be conducted in one working group
composed of the 47 member States of the HRC, the outcome of which will
be a report consisting of a summary of the proceedings, conclusions
and/or recommendations, and the voluntary commitments of the State
Concerned.
Kindly note that, according to Resolution 5/1:
• States are encouraged to prepare the
information they submit “through a broad consultation process at the
national level with all relevant stakeholders” (para. 15(a));
• “Additional, credible and reliable information provided by
other relevant stakeholders to the universal periodic review” will be
summarized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in a
summary which shall not exceed 10 pages (para. 15(c ));
• Other relevant stakeholders may attend the review in the
working group (para. 18 (c ));
• Before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary of the
Council, the State concerned should be offered the opportunity to
present replies to questions or issues; Other relevant stakeholders
will have the opportunity to make general comments before the adoption
of the outcome by the plenary (para. 29 and 31)
• The outcome of the universal periodic review, as a cooperative
mechanism, should be implemented primarily by the State concerned and,
as appropriate, by other relevant stakeholders (para. 33).
4. Upcoming UPR sessions
The first session of the UPR working group is
scheduled to take place from 7-18 April 2008, the second session from
5-16 May 2008, and the third session from 1 to 12 December 2008.
NGOs may wish to access the following links for an
overview of the upcoming countries under the UPR sessions:
• Overview of
States to be reviewed from 2008 to 2011
• States to be
reviewed during the 1st session, in order of review
• States to be
reviewed during the 2nd session, in order of review
• States to be
reviewed during the 3rd session, in order of review
5. NGOs submissions for OHCHR's summary
of stakeholders' information
NGOs, wishing to submit information for consideration
and possible inclusion by OHCHR in the summary of stakeholders'
information, may send their contribution to UPRsubmissions@ohchr.org
NGOs are strongly encouraged to limit their submission
to a 5-page document, to which a more detailed and
factual report may be attached for reference.
The tentative deadline for submissions by NGOs for the
first UPR session (scheduled from 7 to 18 April 2008) is 20
November 2007.
Please note that the summary of other stakeholders'
input prepared by OHCHR will reference the list of relevant sources,
which will be made available on-line.
6. Contact information
OHCHR Civil Society Unit
Ms. Laura Dolci-Kanaan
NGO Liaison Officer
Tel. +41 22 917 9656
Fax. +41 22 917 9004
e-mail: civilsocietyunit@ohchr.org
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