UPR - Universal Periodic Review

The UPR is a unique process of reviewing the achievements of all UN Member States in the field of human rights. The aforementionned review is performed by the Human Rights Committee.

It aims at improving the situation of human rights in each of the 193 UN Member States, by giving each State the opportunity to present measures it has taken to improve human rights on its territory and to fulfil its obligations in this field.

Each review leads to a ‘final document’ listing recommendations made to the State under scrutiny and which will have to be implemented before the next review.

The UPR is a complete cycle made up of three key steps :

• Review the situation of human rights in the State under scrutiny
• Implement the recommendations received and the commitments made voluntarily by the State under scrutiny, between two reviews (4 or 5 years)
• Look at what has been achieved regarding the implementation of such recommendations and commitments, and what follow-up has been given to the situation of human rights in the country since last review. This overview is the starting point of the subsequent review period

Resolution 60/251 - establishment of the Human Rights Council - UPR (15/03/2006)