05/10/2010

UPR Info releases analytical assessment of the Universal Periodic Review

UPR Info, with the support of the Open Society Institute, released today an analytical assessment of the UPR process.

In 2011 the HRC will review its work and functioning. As the UPR will be part of this important review, it appears necessary to make a preliminary critical assessment of the efficiency of this mechanism. UPR

Info intends to contribute its expertise to the HRC review process by providing an analytical assessment of the UPR.

In this paper UPR Info aims at analyzing the following question: Is the UPR fulfilling its principles and objectives and showing, after two years of existence, human rights improvements in the 112 UN Member States it has reviewed?

In this assessment, we look into the statistics of seven UPR sessions that took place from 2008 to beginning of 2010, discuss the features of the UPR that make the mechanism unique, analyze the lessons learnt to determine what really works within the UPR process and what does not, and finally attempt to provide practical recommendations that would help the HRC in advancing the UPR and making it more efficient, better organised and goal-oriented. We discuss and examine why the reviews vary in their efficiency from State to State and what is needed to be done by the HRC and the UN Member States to make every review highly productive and fulfilling its aim. We identify how the HRC can limit "gaps" so that the States and other actors would make the most of the UPR process and contribute to its quality and efficiency.

Download: Analytical assessment of the UPR 2008-2010