Universal Periodic Review

Universal Periodic Review is a mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council that reviews the human rights records of all United Nations member states. The review is based on the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other human rights instruments to which the state is a party, as well as the state's voluntary pledges and commitments. The review process involves Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other non-governmental organizations that provide information on the human rights situation in the countries under review, often in collaboration with National Human Rights Institutions like the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The reviews are facilitated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which also receives support from the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund.

Introduction

The Universal Periodic Review is a unique process that allows for the examination of the human rights records of all United Nations member states, including China, United States, Russia, and India. The review is conducted by the United Nations Human Rights Council, which comprises 47 member states, including Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa. The council receives support from specialized agencies like the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Health Organization. The review process is also informed by the work of treaty bodies such as the Human Rights Committee, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which monitor the implementation of human rights treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

History

The Universal Periodic Review was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, through Resolution 60/251, which created the United Nations Human Rights Council. The first review cycle began in 2008 and ended in 2011, with the participation of all 192 United Nations member states, including France, Germany, and Japan. The second cycle started in 2012 and concluded in 2016, with the involvement of regional organizations like the European Union, the African Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The third cycle commenced in 2017 and is ongoing, with the support of international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Process

The review process involves the submission of reports by the state under review, as well as by United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations like Oxfam, Save the Children, and the International Rescue Committee. The reports are compiled by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which also facilitates the review process, often in collaboration with National Human Rights Institutions like the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The review is conducted by a troika of states, which may include Australia, Canada, and Sweden, and is facilitated by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The review process also involves the participation of special rapporteurs like the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

Implementation

The implementation of the Universal Periodic Review recommendations is the responsibility of the state under review, with the support of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation. The state is expected to provide a follow-up report on the implementation of the recommendations, which is reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, often with the input of regional organizations like the Council of Europe and the Organization of American States. The implementation of the recommendations is also monitored by treaty bodies like the Committee against Torture and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which work closely with National Human Rights Institutions like the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights and the German Institute for Human Rights.

Impact and Criticisms

The Universal Periodic Review has been praised for its universality and inclusiveness, as it allows for the examination of the human rights records of all United Nations member states, including North Korea, Syria, and Iran. However, the review process has also been criticized for its lack of teeth, as the recommendations are not binding, and the implementation is often slow, as seen in the cases of Myanmar and Sudan. The review process has also been criticized for its politicization, as some states use the process to criticize their political opponents, as seen in the cases of Israel and Palestine. Despite these criticisms, the Universal Periodic Review remains an important mechanism for promoting and protecting human rights, as recognized by Nobel Peace Prize laureates like Malala Yousafzai and Liu Xiaobo.

Country-Specific Reviews

The Universal Periodic Review has been conducted for all United Nations member states, including United Kingdom, South Korea, and Turkey. The reviews have highlighted a range of human rights issues, including the use of the death penalty in countries like United States and Japan, the treatment of migrants in countries like Libya and Thailand, and the rights of indigenous peoples in countries like Canada and Australia. The reviews have also highlighted the progress made by some countries, such as Rwanda and Ghana, in promoting and protecting human rights, often with the support of international organizations like the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. The country-specific reviews have been informed by the work of specialized agencies like the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, as well as non-governmental organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.