The Universal Periodic Review began in 2008, and is a successor to the former UN Human Rights Commission. The UPR is a new mechanism aimed to improve human rights on the ground, in all 193 UN member states, by including all States in a uniform review process. It works by having the human rights status of each State assessed every four years – and allows all other Member States to question and make recommendations to the State Under Review. The State Under Review has the option to accept or reject the recommendation, as well as the option to undertake Voluntary Pledges.
A main objective of the UPR process is to share best practices worldwide for implementing human rights guaranteed by international law. Stakeholders in each country — which includes NGOs – are invited to provide submissions early on, that can be used by the UPR Working Group in preparation for that country’s review.
Canada first appeared before the UPR in 2009. It is slated to appear again for its 2nd Universal Periodic Review in 2013.
CCLA has prepared an NGO Report entitled “NGO Submission: Second Universal Periodic Review of Canada, October 2012”, and we submitted it to the UPR process October 7th. Our report looks at issues of concern identified by CCLA regarding Refugees, Asylum-Seekers, Migrant Workers; Administration of Justice including Policing; Violence Against Women; Torture; and National Security, and makes recommendations to ensure Canada’s compliance with its international legal commitments. To read a copy of our report please click here.
>> Listen to Sukanya Pillay speak to Wojtek Gwiazda about CCLA’s report on Radio-Canada International
