The role of recommending States

States are at the core of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) both as States under review (SuR) and Recommending States. It is therefore essential, for the smooth functioning of the mechanism, that all UN Member States  actively engage  at every stage of the UPR.

The UPR is not a single, isolated process. It is cyclical in nature, with each cycle laying the foundation for the next. During each cycle, Recommending States are expected to monitor human rights developments, and to assess the level of implementation of accepted recommendations. 

Recommendations should build upon the previous review in order to promote sustained progress, and address any emerging challenges to human rights. When previous recommendations have not been implemented, Recommending States should remind States under review of their commitments to ensure that the mechanism remains a continuous process from one cycle to the next.