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New Zealand’s Second Universal Periodic Review: an opportunity for change

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

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New Zealand’s Second Universal Periodic Review: an opportunity for change

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  1. New Zealand’s Second Universal Periodic Review: an opportunity for change

  2. 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

  3. 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. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Can attend as observer NGO if accredited

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Making a submission • NGO submissions are reviewed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights • OHCHR then prepares summary document

  15. 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

  16. Making a submission • Comply with technical guidelines of OHCHR: • Included in the Practical Guide for Civil Society – Universal Periodic Review published by the OHCHR

  17. Making a submission • New online submissions system: http://uprdoc.ohchr.org/

  18. Participation in wider process • Government consultation • International accountability • Presence in Geneva

  19. Adoption of outcomes • Speaking rights • Priority given to coalition/joint statements • Written statement • Lobby government

  20. Implementation • On-going dialogue • Monitor • Work with government and other stakeholders to engage

  21. 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

  22. Questions?

  23. More information... www.hrc.co.nz www.mfat.govt.nz/upr http://www.ohchr.org/

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