From October 21 to November 1, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group will hold its 17th Session in Geneva, Switzerland. Fifteen States are slated to have their human rights records reviewed: Saudi Arabia, Senegal, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Mauritius, Jordan, Malaysia, the Central African Republic, Monaco, Belize, Chad, Israel, the Congo and Malta. This is the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review that these States will participate in, each having undergone examination by the United Nations Human Rights Council‘s unique peer review process in its first cycle, conducted between 2008 and 2011.
The UPR Working Group comprises all 47 members of the Human Rights Council, but any United Nations Member State may pose questions during the 3.5-hour interactive dialogue held for each State under review. The review is based on information submitted by the State, civil society organizations, and UN human rights bodies. Representatives from each State will report on the government’s efforts in fulfilling its human rights obligations and commitments, as well as any positive achievements and current challenges, including with respect to the steps that they have taken to implement the accepted recommendations given to them during the first UPR cycle.
The review for each State is facilitated by troikas, which are groups of three HRC member States selected randomly from regional groupings. The troikas act as rapporteurs, and are charged with preparing the report of the Working Group on the State under review. The goal of each review is to highlight positive developments, note any issues and questions raised, and pose a series of recommendations. [OHCHR]
A timetable of the review process and the documentation for each State can be found on the website of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Meeting highlights for the 17th Session will also be posted on the calendar after each State’s review.