28/10/2010

Joint NGO contribution on the review of the UPR

37 NGOs joined together to present seven key issues of the UPR which need to be addressed in the context of the Human Rights Council review:

1. National consultations with stakeholders: national consultations should be well prepared, be based on a clear timeframe and held well in advance of the preparation of the State report and fully include civil society

2. Introducing OHCHR compilation and summary: opportunities should be given during the interactive dialogue for the OHCHR compilation of UN information and summary of stakeholder submissions to be introduced to the UPR Working Group

3. Recommendations: recommendations should be focused, action-oriented and clustered thematically in the outcome report. Particular attention should be given to recommendations which are based on recommendations from other human rights mechanisms

4. Responses to recommendations: responses to each recommendation should be provided in advance and in writing. All recommendations should receive a response and reasons for rejection should be provided. Recommendations should not be rejected for reasons that are inconsistent with the SuR's international human rights obligations

5. Follow-up assessment: mechanisms and modalities for the assessment of the implementation of recommendations should be developed and the civil society should play an active role in this process

6. Second cycle: the second cycle should be devoted to both the assessment of the implementation of recommendations made in the previous review and an assessment of the current human rights situation in the State under review

7. Non-ECOSOC NGO participation: NGOs without ECOSOC status should be able to make comments on the UPR outcome at the plenary adoption.