27/09/2022

Supporting States through the UPR Voluntary Fund for Implementation

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A new law to protect human rights defenders in Mongolia and the establishment of a data collection  system on persons with disabilities are just two examples presented during the side event organized for the 15th Anniversary of the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The event organized by the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Moldova, Mongolia and Morocco, was held the 14th of September 2022 during the 51st the Human Rights Council (HRC) session.

The event was an occasion to gather high-level State representatives and other stakeholders to take stock of the achievements of the Voluntary Fund in ensuring the implementation of UPR recommendations through nationally owned processes.

Established in 2007 by the Human Rights Council, the Voluntary Fund of Implementation provides financial and technical assistance to support countries to implement the recommendations of the UPR and integrate them into initiatives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 76 countries have been supported so far by the Fund since its inception.

During the event, more impact stories were shared by the panellists. Mr. Mahamane Cisse-Gouro, Director of the HRC and Treaty Mechanisms Division mentioned that “In Panama, the fund supported the elected tribals in assuring a free registration of indigenous people in remote area. In Costa Rica, the Fund is supporting the access to justice for indigenous peoples", and “with the support of OHCHR and under the Fund our project is currently under way in Bhutan to initiate a national mechanism for reporting and follow-up (NMRF) and a national recommendation tracking database (NRTD)” mentioned Mrs. Rinchen Dema, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bhutan in the UN.

The event was also the occasion to promote access by States to the financial and technical assistance available through the Voluntary Fund and mobilize their support to it as part of the enhanced focus on implementation of the recommendations of the 4th UPR cycle - starting in November 2022. As recalled by Mr. Federico Villegas, President of the HRC,  the priority of this fourth cycle is the “implementation of these recommendations on the ground and the UPR is the best way to maximise financial human rights resources that put into a country to solve many issues”.

For a more detailed overview about the activities of the Voluntary Fund, please click here.