51st UPR Working Group: Key highlights

Australia reported progress and achievements since the last review in connection also to the realisation of SDGs. Advancements were made to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and towards the empowerment of First national people in decision making and public participation. The delegation reported also measures taken towards strengthening of Hate crime laws in response to the terrorist attack in Bondi beach; investment in the national disability scheme; support of the rights of Children with the 'Early strategy 2024-2034'; support health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ community; protection of migrants and refugees; mitigation and adaptation to climate change; combatting modern slavery. Representation of First Peoples in the criminal system was mentioned as a significant government concern and the State recalled its ongoing efforts to address its underlying causes. It signaled the NHRI was reacredited in 2023 with A status and presented Australia’s voluntary commitments for the 4^th UPR cycle, including the revision of the Disability Discrimination Act, the delivery of affordable housing for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people, deliberation of a plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence among First Nations people and invest in dementia risk reduction and brain health. Australia received recommendations mainly concerning the ratification of outstanding international human rights instruments, stronger institutional implementation capacity, stronger efforts towards non-discrimination and social cohesion, the protection of rights of women, children, indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities, limiting immigration detention and ensuring access to housing, health and education. The strongest concerns raised by countries went to the rights of First Peoples, particularly across recommendations on justice, child rights, anti-discrimination, and socio-economic equality.

For the first time, Austria’s delegation to the UPR session included representatives of local and regional governments. In its presentation Austria reported three specific examples of human rights advancements achieved against the backdrop of 3rd round of UPR: in 2022 the Austrian Ombudsman Board was accredited with A status NHRI, fully compliance with the Paris Principle; In 2023 a separate independent investigation and compliance office was established for police violence, separated from the police and supported by an independent board; a 2025-2029 national action plan against violence against women and girls, with over 150 measures covering all areas of life for prevention and support of victim. Measures have been taken also concerning areas such as migration, reform of democratic structures, protection of the liberty of press, AI and digitalisation, fight against extremism and terrorism, the protection of freedom of religion, climate change. Recommendations to Austria include ratifying key international human rights instruments, strengthening anti-discrimination and equality frameworks, ensuring gender equality, protecting the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, persons with disabilities and detainees. A recurring and cross-cutting concern was the need for more coherent and harmonised protection against discrimination and hate speech. 

The delegation of Georgia announced the lowest level of corruption in the region thus far, presenting the highest economic growth of Europe and its position as first in international terms of budget transparency. The state also presented initiatives such as providing free legal aid to victims of gender-based violence, a prison-system reform to increase access to services like healthcare and education, and the inclusion of ethnic minority languages. The recommendations made by participating states focused on promoting the full enjoyment of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, enhancing efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, investigating human rights violations carried out by state agents, and strengthening anti-discrimination campaigns. Georgia was also encouraged to ratify The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

After highlighting the renewed political momentum since early 2025, Lebanon reported on the progress achieved since the last UPR cycle, including reforms and legislative advancements in many sectors. A financial reform was undertaken with the International Monetary Fund to rebuild confidence in the financial system. A new law on jurisdictional organisation reformed the Judiciary to increase its independence. Lebanon also reaffirmed its effort to eradicate obstacles that hinder the investigation of the Beirut port explosion. Progress was achieved with the adoption of a National plan for Human Rights, adopted under the auspices of the parliamentary commission for HR, and a national strategy and plan for the fight of violence against women and for women empowerment.  Lebanon ratified the Convention on the rights of people with disabilities. Recommendations made to Lebanon mainly concerned women’s rights and gender equality, freedom of expression and of the media, migrant workers’ rights and the Kafala system, the rights of Syrian and Palestinian refugees. Many States expressed concern for the independence of the judiciary and the tenure of the rule of law. 

Mauritania’s delegation presented measures undertaken since the previous cycle, emphasizing criminalisation of slavery-like practices, operationalisation of specialised anti-slavery courts, and increased prosecutions under the 2015 anti-slavery law. Authorities highlighted the expansion of social protection programmes for vulnerable communities, the modernisation of civil registration systems, and national strategies on education access, maternal health, and counter-terrorism compliant with international human rights norms. Participating states recommended stronger implementation: mentioning independent monitoring of detention facilities, abolition of remaining discriminatory provisions affecting women and girls, and more effective victim protection in slavery cases. Additional recommendations called for ratifying outstanding conventions, safeguarding freedom of association and expression, and combating child marriage.

The Federated States of Micronesia drew attention to structural human rights constraints facing small island developing states, including calling for international support to tackle the environmental issues suffered as a consequence of war-time oil leakage. The delegation also highlighted their advancements in monitoring human rights nationally, stating the establishment of a coordination and oversight mechanism to monitor human rights and sustainable development created by the president. Furthermore, the state welcomed a visit from the Special Rapporteur on cultural rights. Micronesia received several recommendations on the persistence of gender-based violence, limited judicial capacity, and gaps in disability accessibility. Delegations recommended measures such as the adoption of comprehensive domestic violence legislation, strengthening anti-trafficking enforcement, reducing internet access disparities affecting freedom of expression and education, and more. Nonetheless, climate change dominated the dialogue for the review of this island state.  

Nauru highlighted the enactment of key laws, including the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Act, the Health and Medical Services Act, the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Act, and the 2025 Human Rights Commission Act establishing a national human rights institution. The delegation stressed progress in gender equality, child protection, social protection systems, anti-corruption measures and judicial independence. Climate change was described as an existential human rights threat, with initiatives such as the Higher Ground Initiative, renewable energy expansion, water security investments and sustainable fisheries management aimed at safeguarding rights to life, health, housing and food security. Recommendations from UN Member States focused strongly on ratifying outstanding core human rights treaties (particularly the ICCPR, ICESCR, CERD and optional protocols), fully establishing an independent national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles, and repealing constitutional provisions allowing the death penalty. Many States raised concerns regarding media freedom, freedom of expression, high visa fees for journalists, and the need to decriminalise defamation. Numerous recommendations addressed gender equality, stronger action against domestic and gender-based violence,  prevention of child marriage, and improved protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights, including access to abortion services. 

Nepal presented its national report which it prepared in consultation with various stakeholders. The report provides progress and challenges on the implementation of recommendations received in the previous cycle. The 196 accepted recommendations have been mostly implemented, also with the support of all relevant stakeholders. Nepal adopted new NHRAPs, acts to prevent and punish gender-based violence and to promote women empowerment, national frameworks to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Legislative and policy advancements have been made also in sectors such as access to justice, healthcare and education, the promotion of employment, and digitalisation. Recommendations made to Nepal related predominantly to discrimination, gender equality and gender-violence, freedom of expression, information and freedom of assembly, the protection of the rights of children and fight against human trafficking. Many States also recommended that the transitional justice process in the country will be independent, adequately funded and in line with human rights principles. 

Oman spoke on its initiatives and reforms to ensure universal, free and mandatory education, including specific legislation on free and compulsory education free from all discrimination. The delegation also presented its milestone as the first country in the Middle East to effectively combat mother to child transmission of HIV. In terms of women’s participation in political life, Oman states that they occupy leading positions in both the public and the private sector, including 3 ministers, 28 council members, and 6 ambassadors to Omani missions abroad. Oman also showed its commitment to continuing international cooperation in terms of human rights, announcing its candidacy for membership of the Human Rights Council. The participating states made recommendations on issues such as the abolition of the death penalty, legislation to promote equality within marriage, improved access to public services for rural and remote areas, including education and healthcare, and the prohibition of all forms of corporal punishment against children.

The delegation of Rwanda opened its statement by mentioning the importance of reinforcing accountability and reconciliation in the country after 1994. Measures of development were presented, such as an increase in access to electricity and drinking water. The States’ recommendations focused on prioritising the protection and promotion of women’s rights, including enhancing efforts to eradicate danger-based violence and increasing their participation in the public and political sphere. Other recommendations included the call to ratify remaining international conventions such as that on Enforced Disappearances and the Rome Statute.

Saint Kitts and Nevis highlighted the strengthening of its National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-Up and ongoing justice sector reforms. Key advances included ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations following a 2022 High Court ruling, amendments to domestic violence legislation, and the establishment of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Ageing and Disabilities. The Government emphasized progress on social protection policy development (2025–2030), and climate action under the Sustainable Island State Agenda 2040. Recommendations from other States focused heavily on ratifying outstanding treaties, particularly the ICCPR, CAT and related optional protocols, and formally abolishing the death penalty. Many States urged the establishment of an independent national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles. Strong emphasis was placed on adopting comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, especially protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and further advancing LGBTQI+ rights. Numerous recommendations addressed full criminalization of all forms of gender-based violence (including marital rape), prohibition of corporal punishment, elimination of child marriage exceptions, improved detention conditions, and strengthened action against youth gang violence. 

Saint Lucia reaffirmed its commitment to a people centred approach to development, where the protection of HR is a key pillar of the country's development agenda. The report it presented is the outcome of a constructive and consultative process involving the national committee for human rights, civil society, people with disabilities, and the private sectors. The State first recalled the strengthening of national coordination efforts through the national coordination committee for HR, and extended collaboration with civil society and development partners. It then reported on progress in implementation since the last review notwithstanding resource constraints. Progress was made in the areas of gender equality and in response to gender-based violence, social protection, universal health coverage, access to quality education, and climate resilience. Steps were also taken towards the ratification of new international human rights treaties. Many States urged Saint-Lucia to abolish the death penalty. The State affirmed that while this is still provided in the law, it has not been exercised for 40 years. Other main areas considered in States’ recommendations were ratification of key international human rights treaties, anti-discrimination and equality, gender-based violence and women rights, children rights, establishment of a NHRI, climate change and climate resilience.

Sao Tomé and Principe reported progress achieved since the previous review, in particular in the protection of women rights, rights of the child and other vulnerable people, and in the fight against corruption. First steps were made towards the creation of a national human rights institution. The State was commended for being the first state to be internationally recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO - reflecting a clear commitment to environmental protection. Most recommendation focused on ratifying key international human rights instruments, establishing a NHRI, ensuring gender equality and combating gender-based violence, reinforcing the justice system, combatting trafficking in persons and child labour, realising social and economic rights and promoting climate action and adaptation.