The UPR Adoptions at the 57th Session of the HRC: key highlights
At the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council, the outcome reports from the 46th Working Group Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), referred to as Item 6, were adopted.
The reports for North Macedonia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Chile, Yemen, Slovakia, New Zealand, The Comoros, Vanuatu, Eritrea, Uruguay, The Dominican Republic, and Cambodia were examined and adopted.
During the 46th UPR Working Group session, 3634 recommendations were made by UN Member States and 2247 recommendations enjoyed the support from States under Review.
A well-functioning mechanism for examining the human rights situation in all countries. That's why we see the UPR process as a valuable opportunity to deepen the national debate on human rights and create momentum for their strengthening through an open and forward-looking exchange with national stakeholders and relevant international partners”, this is how Mr. Sumbue Antas, the Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the UN described the UPR during the Adoptions of the Outcomes Reports.
As reflected in the quote, each of the 193 member states voluntarily participate in the UPR with the goal of translating these recommendations into meaningful and tangible changes on the ground. Plans for implementing these changes, along with general matters related to the UPR, are discussed during Item 6 of the Human Rights Council session agenda. During this time, States reaffirm their dedication to the UPR process and report on the progress made in implementing the recommendations they have endorsed during the UPR review by facilitating constructive dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
Good Practices
The states of Chile and New Zealand are taking steps to track their progress on human rights recommendations. Chile has voluntarily implemented a national supervision tool for evaluating such progress. This tool allows Chile to track its advancement on recommendations, such as those accepted during the UPR. Similarly, New Zealand will soon launch an online monitoring tool for human rights follow-up and reporting. This tool will also track the progress of recommendations made through human rights mechanisms, with a focus on transparency. Chile and New Zealand’s voluntary utilisation of such tools demonstrates a commitment to accountability in advancing human rights and exemplifies how states can better ensure the implementation of accepted recommendations.
General Debate
During the general debate on item 6, states praised the UPR’s focus on collaboration and cooperation and emphasised that the process must remain impartial, transparent, and equal, devoid of any favouritism.
As part of the debate, UPR Info shared a statement on how the UPR relates to the recently drafted Pact for the Future. Accepted during the Summit for the Future, this document outlines the way forward for states to unite and address key issues and challenges. While welcoming the opportunities from the Pact for the Future, there is significant concern regarding the limited focus on human rights within the pact, which lacks a dedicated chapter and strong human rights language despite being one of the UN's three pillars.
UPR Info encouraged states to utilise the UPR to achieve the actions set out in the pact
“The UPR enables States to advance the 2030 Agenda by aligning national development policies with human rights. It also supports peace and security by addressing systemic human rights violations, often the root causes of conflict, which often affect those living in vulnerable situations,” said Mona M’Bikay, Executive Director of UPR Info.
To read the full statement, click here.
Below you may find more information about each country’s adoption.