The review process comprises all of a number of distinct elements, including the compilation and analysis of objective and reliable information and the identification of issues; the interactive dialogue; the conclusions and recommendations; the outcome, and the follow-up.
The entire review must be transparent in all respects for all participants and other
stakeholders.
The basis for review should be objective, reliable, and transparent. The analysis and
interactive dialogue should have as its principal basis Special Procedure and Treaty
Body analysis and recommendations, as well as reports and information from States
(including their election pledges), OHCHR and other UN bodies, national human
rights institutions, as well as NGOs and civil society.
In keeping with the principle of equality, the review should be based on a common
standard for review, i.e the UDHR, in addition to other human rights obligations
and commitments, including election pledges, of each state reviewed.
NGOs should be able to participate effectively in the review process. This must
include the possibility for national NGOs without consultative status to provide
information and follow the review.
The review should result in a comprehensive outcome that will lead to a resultoriented
follow-up.
The outcome may include a broad range of measures to encourage, assist or require
the concerned state to fulfill its human rights obligations and commitments. These
measures could include action proposed by the country under review, follow-up on
Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies’ recommendations, capacity-building and
technical assistance, appointment of a country rapporteur, or recommendations to
the General Assembly or to the Security Council.
The UPR must include provisions for follow-up in order to ensure implementation
of decisions taken in the review. These measures should have a specific time-frame.
The Council could request the State to report on the progress of the implementation
of the decisions and recommendations at any given time.
The UPR can be only one means among others by which the Council addresses
situations in particular countries. Other options include discussion and decision in
regular and special sessions and the complaint procedure that results from the
review of mechanisms. The various means for action by the Council in respect of
the human rights situation in individual countries must complement one another.