Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

The UPR mechanism was established in 2006 by the UN General Assembly resolution 60/251. It aims to address human rights violations wherever they occur.

The UPR reviews the human rights record of all 193 member states every five years (42 states each year).

Find out more about the UPR here. You can also watch a video about the UPR from the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

Stages of the UPR

There are several stages to a UPR review:

1. Preparation of pre-session documents. The review of a state is based on: A national report prepared by the state; A compilation of information by the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR); A summary of information submitted by other stakeholders.
2. Working Group on the UPR & Report
3. Adoption of outcome documents by the Human Rights Council
4. National Process of Follow-up and Implementation. Mid-term reports are voluntary but encouraged

UPR Information on the United Kingdom

UK is part of the third review cycle, and the 27^th working group session. The latest review of the UK took place in November 2022.

2022 Review

• The UK Government’s report to the UPR Working Group
• The UPR Working Group’s Draft Recommendations to the UK Government
• The Consortium’s shadow report to the Universal Periodic Review
• The short summary version of the Consortium’s report
• The Consortium’s analysis of the UN recommendations is available here
• Civil society joint statement urging UK Government to act on the recommendations
• The Scottish Human Rights Commission’s shadow report
• The short summary version of the Commission’s report

2017 Review

• The UK’s National Report for UPR 2017 can be found here.
• All of the documentation relating to the UK’s 2017 review can be found here.

Civil society organisation participation in the UPR process:

Civil society actors, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organisations and regional mechanisms can submit written information to the “other stakeholders” report. This then informs the UN working group’s consideration of recommendations to make to the UK.

Guidelines for written contributions:

Submission should be sent through the “Online UPR submission registration system”. Guidelines for the Use of the On-Line UPR Submissions Registration System

Deadline: Dependent on committee.

Content:

Submissions should:

• Be tailored for the UPR.
• Contain credible and reliable information on the state under review
• Cover the period elapsed since the last review
• Use an objective, formal, non-abusive language
• When referring to the implementation of recommendations from previous cycles, clearly identify the recommendation

Format:

• Individual written submissions must not exceed 2815 words (additional documentation can be annexed for reference) or five pages.
• Joint submissions must not exceed 5630 words or ten pages
• Written submissions should be in UN official languages

Useful guides and links

• The Role of CSOs- guidance from UPR Info on the role of civil society in the UPR process
• Documentation for CSOs – tips, handbooks and documents from UPRInfo, all relating to civil society organisations in the UPR process
• 3^rd UPR cycle: contributions and participation of “other stakeholders” in the UPR’ by OHCHR
• Universal Periodic Review (Third Cycle): Information and guidelines for relevant stakeholders’ written submissions: technical guidelines for stakeholders submissions for the 3rd cycle.
• A Practical Guide for Civil Society issued by the OHCHR.
• A handbook for civil society by the United Nations High Commissioner for human rights.
• Mid-term reports.
• The information provided by the United Nations Human Rights Council on the UPR.
• The UPR info site is a website that aims to raise awareness of the UPR.
• UPR info specifically on the UK (and its engagement with the UPR, including recommendations received and made by the UK).