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Issues: UN Universal Periodic Review

UN Universal Periodic Review

What is the Universal Periodic Review?

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was established by the UN General Assembly in 2006 as a process through which the human rights record of every UN Member State (i.e. country) is peer-reviewed.

This review, conducted through the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), is based upon each country’s human rights obligations and commitments expressed in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights instruments to which the country is party, and other sources. During the process, the country under review receives recommendations to improve its human rights record from other UN Member States. The country under review is able to accept or note these recommendations, and those accepted form the basis for future reporting.

The United States is a strong supporter of the UPR process, which provides a unique mechanism for the global community to discuss human rights issues around the world.

UN Universal Periodic Review News

Press Release
2016 Year-End Summary of the U.S. Universal Periodic Review Working Groups
Jan 11, 2017 | U.S. Department of State

Introduction

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2006 as a process through which the human rights record of every UN Member State is peer-reviewed.  This review, conducted through the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), is based upon each country’s human rights obligations and commitments in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights instruments to which the country is party, and other sources. ...Read More
Report
UPR Recommendations for Working Group 4: National Security
Dec 21, 2016 | U.S. Federal Government
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Report
UPR Recommendations for Working Group 2: Criminal Justice
Dec 21, 2016 | U.S. Federal Government

UPR Recommendations and Positions 

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Report
UPR Recommendations for Working Group 6: Domestic Mechanisms for Human Rights Implementation
Dec 21, 2016 | U.S. Federal Government

UPR Recommendations and Positions

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Report
UPR Recommendations for Working Group 1: Civil Rights and Non-Discrimination
Dec 21, 2016 | U.S. Federal Government

UPR Recommendations and Positions 

UPR# 73, 119, 123, 131, 133-134, 137, 139-141, 144-145, 157, 159, 160, 162-163, 216, 219, 222, 225, 228, 276-277, 281, 287: Conduct human rights awareness‐raising activities for law enforcement officers. Take administrative and legal measures against perpetrators of racially motivated acts. Combat better against racial discrimination. Continue to take strong actions, including appropriate judicial measures, to counter all forms of discrimination ...Read More
Remarks
USUN Opposing a UN General Assembly Amendment to Delay the Mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Dec 19, 2016 | U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Samantha Power
The U.S. also believes that the resolution creating the Independent Expert to address violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is well-merited by the facts on the ground. For who here today would argue that LGBTI people are treated equally around their world, or that they are not subject to violence and discrimination? Nobody can argue that on the basis of the facts. This is a world we live in which, according to a report issued in 2015 by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “the overall picture remains one of continuing, pervasive, violent abuse, harassment, and discrimination affecting LGBT and intersex persons in all regions…often perpetrated with impunity.” ...Read More
Remarks
UPR 26th Session-Intervention for South Sudan
Nov 7, 2016 | U.S. Delegation to the UN Human Rights Council
U.S. recommends that South Sudan: 1) Enable the full deployment – without obstruction – of the Regional Protection Force, as authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2304, to bring stability and help prevent further atrocities; 2) Fulfill its obligation under the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan to cooperate fully in establishing the Hybrid Court; and 3) Establish an open, consultative process for drafting and ratifying a new constitution, under which new elections will be held at the end of the transitional period. ...Read More
Remarks
UPR 26th Session-Intervention for Republic of Haiti
Nov 7, 2016 | U.S. Delegation to the UN Human Rights Council
U.S. recommends that Haiti: 1) Allocate additional resources to increase case processing and reduce the number of pre-trial detainees; 2) Ensure accountability for human rights abuses, to strengthen the rule of law and break the pervasive cycle of impunity that hinders reconciliation and limits Haiti’s economic development; and 3) Vigorously investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence traffickers, including those responsible for domestic servitude and child sex trafficking. ...Read More
Remarks
UPR 26th Session-Intervention for Moldova
Nov 4, 2016 | U.S. Delegation to the UN Human Rights Council
U.S. recommends that Moldova: 1) Implement reforms in the rule of law sphere to ensure fairness and due process, combat corruption, and improve transparency throughout the legal process; 2) Improve the conditions of detention in police stations and prisons and effectively investigate credible allegations of abuse, consistent with the UN Convention against Torture; and 3) Increase professional training and adopt guidelines for improving the conduct of police, prosecution, and courts in investigating bias-motivated crimes and cases of domestic violence. ...Read More
Remarks
UPR 26th Session-Intervention for Timor-Leste
Nov 3, 2016 | U.S. Delegation to the UN Human Rights Council
U.S. recommends that Timor-Leste: 1) Strengthen efforts to bring security sector members to justice in cases of excessive use of force or inappropriate treatment of detainees; 2) Work with civil society and local authorities to address domestic and sexual violence and provide the national police’s Vulnerable Persons Unit with sufficient resources to maintain an adequate presence around the country; and 3) Uphold its international human rights obligation and constitutionally provided rights of freedom of expression, including freedom of the press to all persons in Timor-Leste. ...Read More

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US Recommendations

Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. - 2015

U.S. UPR Recommendations

UPR Fact Sheet - updated 12/16

  • Your Guide to the Universal Periodic Review and the UPR Working Groups - [HTML] - [PDF]

UPR Working Group Information

Photos: 2nd UPR of the US

US 2nd Periodic Review Addendum

Opening Statement: 2nd Periodic Review