New Zealand’s Second Universal Periodic Review: an opportunity

for change

Human rights

• Human rights belong to and are

about all of us

• Universal periodic review process (UPR) is a unique opportunity to:– influence Aotearoa New Zealand’s human

rights landscape– improve realisation of rights across all sectors

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Presentation overview

• Overview of the UPR process

• Outline the opportunity to contribute– Will link to the facilitated discussions which

take place at the end of this conference

• Overview of forthcoming development of New Zealand’s second National Plan of Action 4

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What is the UPR?

• Review of human rights record of all United Nations Member States

• Cooperative, state-driven process

• Led by United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva)

• UPR process designed to ensure equal treatment among states in assessing its human rights situation 6

What is the UPR?

• Process created 2006

• By October 2011, UPR of all United Nations Member States completed

• A core element of the UN Human Rights Council

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What is the UPR?

• Formal consideration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s human rights record by United Nations Human Rights Council Member States

• Periodic: every 4½ years

• Result of each UPR: reflected in an “outcome report”

• Outcome report lists recommendations the State under review either decline to accept or commits to implement before its next UPR

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What is the UPR based on?

• Three main documents:– National Report on national human rights situation

• prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade• 20 pages maximum

– Compilation of treaty body and UN special procedures information

• prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights• 10 pages maximum

– Summary of information from the New Zealand Human Rights Commission and civil society

• prepared by Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights• 10 pages maximum

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Why engage in the UPR?

• Valuable opportunity to raise awareness about human rights

• All human rights obligations can be addressed

• State acceptance of UPR recommendations signals strong political commitment to implement them in the following 4½ years - international accountability 10

Opportunity for civil society?

• Yes: voice of civil society

– NGO recommendations can officially be made to New Zealand

– NGO information becomes part of the official documentation prepared for the review

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Opportunity for civil society

• Yes: partnership and collaboration

– Opportunity to strengthen civil society - government relationship

– Opportunity to encourage an ongoing, open and transparent human rights dialogue in NZ

– Opportunity to collaborate with other civil society actors and establish new partnerships

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Can attend as observer NGO if

accredited

Key dates

• Stakeholder submissions (and Human Rights Commission) due 17 June 2013

• Government/national report due 28 October 2013

• Review: January/February 2014

• Adoption of outcome document: April/May 2013

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Making a submission

• Individual/individual organisation

report (5 pages max. + annexes)

• Joint report (10 pages max. + annexes)

• Endorse a national NGO report – Groups coordinating submissions: ACYA, Human Rights

Foundation, Peace Movement Aotearoa

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Making a submission

• NGO submissions are reviewed by

the Office of the High Commissioner for

Human Rights

• OHCHR then prepares summary document

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Making a submission

• Emphasise key points

• Focus on last four and a half years since first UPR (2009)

• Focus on areas of concern to you/your communities

• Solutions focussed

• Concise

• Include paragraph on background of submitter

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Making a submission

• Comply with technical guidelines of OHCHR:

– Included in the Practical Guide for Civil Society – Universal Periodic Review published by the OHCHR

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Making a submission

• New online submissions system:

http://uprdoc.ohchr.org/

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Participation in wider process

• Government consultation

• International accountability

• Presence in Geneva

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Adoption of outcomes

• Speaking rights– Priority given to coalition/joint statements

• Written statement

• Lobby government

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Implementation

• On-going dialogue

• Monitor

• Work with government and other stakeholders to engage

National Plan of Action

• Developed 2014, jointly with Government, civil society

and the Commission

• New Zealand’s Plan of Action

• Draw on commitments made by government to the UPR

• Focus on targeted, concrete solutions to improve the situation for all New Zealanders

• Action plan for five years – New Zealand’s human rights agenda

Questions?

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More information...

www.hrc.co.nz

www.mfat.govt.nz/upr

http://www.ohchr.org/ 28