04/12/2010

UPR Facilitator on the HRC review presents conclusions of informal consultations

Human Rights Council (HRC) President organised Friday 3 December a meeting to discuss Part 2 and Part 3 of the Compilation of States proposals issued after the first HRC review Working Group session. Following these discussions, the five facilitators presented a summary of the informal consultations held over the last three weeks.

H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, facilitator on the UPR, started to present the points of convergence drawn from the three informal consultations:

- To maintain the Basis, principles and objectives of the UPR ;

- To maintain the order of review of the first cycle;

- To maintain the content and focus of the reports of the second cycle;

- To cluster recommendations;

- To dedicate a part of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) summary of stakeholders' information to National Human Rights Institution;

- To keep the voluntary nature of mid-term reports;

- To strengthen the voluntary fund for developing countries and technical assistance for States requesting it;

- To underline the central role of the OHCHR in coordinating technical assistance.

Issues needing more consultations led to three "informal informals" with regional coordinators and some delegations. Those consultations enabled to bring positions closer and reduce divergences. Convergences were found on the following points:

- To add one hour to the interactive dialogue while keeping the same proportionality between the State under Review and other States.

- To increase the plenary adoption time of half-an-hour while keeping the same proportionality between the State under Review, States and other stakeholders.

Concerning the periodicity, a compromise between 4 and 5 years was suggested: 4,5 years with 14 sessions of 14 reviews each.

The plenary adoption being linked to the agenda and the programme of work, the facilitator explained that he was working in close cooperation with the concerned facilitator.

As for the gap between the first and second cycle, there should be no need for it if the guidelines for the second cycle reports are concluded by September 2011 and if the second cycle starts after March 2012.

Finally, H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale announced that a solution would soon be put forward for the list of speakers for the three last sessions and if it is accepted, it will be kept for the second cycle.