Dec 21, 2010
UPR Symposium: Ireland’s Human Rights Priorities and the Universal Periodic Review
Human Rights in Ireland is pleased to host this blog symposium on the Universal Periodic Review process. This symposium was organised by Liam Thornton, from Human Rights in Ireland and Danielle Kennan, Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway. Danielle contributes in a personal capacity.
Danielle noted the innovative nature of this review process here, while calling for a debate on some key issues which need to be focused upon. Aoife O’ Donoghue also commented upon this issue here. The posts received in response to this call and set out below raise a number of important substantive issues in the area of, children’s rights, the rights of prisoners, the process of civil engagement and finally questions regarding the UPR process in and of itself.
What is the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)?
The UPR is a process which all member states of the United Nations will be subject to a peer-review of their human rights record by members of the Human Rights Council. The Human Rights Council is made up of 47 states who are tasked with amongst other things, promoting human rights; enhancing human rights protections; providing a forum for dialogue on issues of human rights and promotes the full implementation of human rights by UN member states. In addition, the Human Rights Council:
Undertake a universal periodic review, based on objective and reliable information, of the fulfilment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments in a manner which ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all States; the review shall be a cooperative mechanism, based on an interactive dialogue, with the full involvement of the country concerned and with consideration given to its capacity-building needs; such a mechanism shall complement and not duplicate the work of treaty bodies…
How does the UPR operate?
The Human Rights Council bases its conclusions and recommendations for follow up upon a Government’s national report, information submitted by relevant stakeholders (relevant stakeholders have been identified to include NGO’s, national human rights institutions, academic institutions and civil society representatives) and, additionally, the review is based on information compiled by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), drawing on the reports of the treaty bodies, the special procedures and other relevant UN documentation.
The UPR and Ireland
Preparations for Ireland’s first review in October 2011 are now well under-way, with various consultations taking place to feed into the reporting process. The first national consultation held by the State took place on December 10th at the Eleventh NGO Forum on Human Rights, hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Relevant stakeholders are also mobilising. The Irish Human Rights Commission has commenced consultations and details on this consultation process and some of the priority issues the Commission intends to raise in its Report to the UN are set out in a recent article in the Irish Times available here. Also 16 civil society organisations have formed a coalition and under the leadership of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties will coordinate information to be submitted to the OHCHR. Further details of this process are available in some of the blog contributions below.
