The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all UN Member States and was created through the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by resolution 60/251 (UNGA Resolution 60_251). It provides an opportunity for all States to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. Therefore, it is a cooperative process whose aim is to address human rights violations wherever they occur.
The UPR was established when the Human Rights Council was created on 15 March 2006 by the UN General Assembly in resolution 60/251. This mandated the Council to “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 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. Each State review is assisted by groups of three States, known as “troikas”, who serve as rapporteurs. The selection of the troikas for each State is done through a drawing of lots following elections for the Council membership in the General Assembly.
The review is based on the information provided by the State, by human rights experts and by stakeholders. Indeed, one of the key characteristic of the URP is giving the opportunity to all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, human rights defenders, academic institutions and research institutes, regional organizations, as well as civil society representatives to participate to the process.
Stakeholders may take into consideration all human rights treaties ratified or accessed by the country under review, applicable international humanitarian law as well as the ineffective implementation of specific conclusions and recommendations made by international and/or regional human rights bodies. Submissions should not be longer than five pages and must be transmitted in UN official languages only, preferably in English, French or Spanish. All the information submitted for the URP (uprsubmissions@ohchr.org) are then summarized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and transmitted to HRC.
At the end of the process, a report is prepared by the troika and is known as the “outcome report”. It therefore consists of the questions, comments and recommendations. The reviewed State has the primary responsibility to implement the recommendations contained in the final outcome. In particular, during the second review it is expected to provide information on what they have been doing to implement the recommendations made during the first review as well as on any developments in the field of human rights.
During the first cycle, all UN Member States have been reviewed. The second cycle, which officially started in May 2012 with the 13th session of the UPR Working Group, will see 42 States reviewed each year.