Civil Society Involvement in the UPR
- the example of Indonesia -
Parallel event to the 7th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, 17 March 2008
By MARIYA STOYANOVA
Summary:
Parallel to the 7th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), together with the German Forum Human Rights, Papua Land of Peace, and Pax Romana, held on 17 March 2008 a public panel discussion on CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT IN UPR – THE EXAMPLE OF INDONESIA. Before the floor was open to general debate, the following panellists made presentations based on their experience with the UPR process: Benny YP Siahaan (Indonesian Mission, Geneva) and Wisnu Lombard (Department of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia), Mylène Bidault(Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva), Rafendi Djamin (Human Rights Working Group, Indonesia), and J. Budi Hernawan OFM (Justice and Peace Commission of Jayapura). The discussion was chaired by Dr. Theodor Rathgeber (German Forum for Human Rights/University of Kassel, Germany).
________________________________________________________
Introduction to the UPR Mechanism
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is considered by many to be the most important feature marking the transition from a UN Commission on Human Rights to a UN Human Rights Council HRC or the Council). This new mechanism provides for the review of every UN Member State within a regular periodic system according to the same standards in a cooperative rather than confrontational manner. Its core objective is
to end the often criticized selectivity and double standards that were perceived in the work of the former Commission (and which led to its
dissolution).
The UPR is essentially (a):
• U-niversal - meaning that every UN member state will be reviewed;
• P-eriodic - ensuring some form of followup, even if only four
years later;
• R-eview - based on reports on the situation of all human rights
and not restricted to those contained in certain Covenants only.
Additionally, its input will be threefold, based on the information submitted in three UPR documents: a report by the concerned state; a compilation of information obtained through the UN treaty bodies, special procedures and other relevant official United Nations documents; and a summary of “stakeholders” (National Human
Rights Institution(s) and civil society) submissions on the state under review. The latter two documents are being prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The review itself will be carried out......
to see the full report please click: http://www.fes-globalization.org/geneva/documents/HumanRights/17March08_Report_UPRIndonesia.pdf
- the example of Indonesia -
Parallel event to the 7th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, 17 March 2008
By MARIYA STOYANOVA
Summary:
Parallel to the 7th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), together with the German Forum Human Rights, Papua Land of Peace, and Pax Romana, held on 17 March 2008 a public panel discussion on CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT IN UPR – THE EXAMPLE OF INDONESIA. Before the floor was open to general debate, the following panellists made presentations based on their experience with the UPR process: Benny YP Siahaan (Indonesian Mission, Geneva) and Wisnu Lombard (Department of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia), Mylène Bidault(Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva), Rafendi Djamin (Human Rights Working Group, Indonesia), and J. Budi Hernawan OFM (Justice and Peace Commission of Jayapura). The discussion was chaired by Dr. Theodor Rathgeber (German Forum for Human Rights/University of Kassel, Germany).
________________________________________________________
Introduction to the UPR Mechanism
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is considered by many to be the most important feature marking the transition from a UN Commission on Human Rights to a UN Human Rights Council HRC or the Council). This new mechanism provides for the review of every UN Member State within a regular periodic system according to the same standards in a cooperative rather than confrontational manner. Its core objective is
to end the often criticized selectivity and double standards that were perceived in the work of the former Commission (and which led to its
dissolution).
The UPR is essentially (a):
• U-niversal - meaning that every UN member state will be reviewed;
• P-eriodic - ensuring some form of followup, even if only four
years later;
• R-eview - based on reports on the situation of all human rights
and not restricted to those contained in certain Covenants only.
Additionally, its input will be threefold, based on the information submitted in three UPR documents: a report by the concerned state; a compilation of information obtained through the UN treaty bodies, special procedures and other relevant official United Nations documents; and a summary of “stakeholders” (National Human
Rights Institution(s) and civil society) submissions on the state under review. The latter two documents are being prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The review itself will be carried out......
to see the full report please click: http://www.fes-globalization.org/geneva/documents/HumanRights/17March08_Report_UPRIndonesia.pdf
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