UPR: State delegations to meet NGOs in Geneva ahead of 14th session

Submitted by crinadmin on

Summary: UPR Info will be hosting meetings between civil society and States to discuss the human rights situation of States set for review at the 14th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

UPR Info is organising pre-session meetings in Geneva from 27 to 31 August between civil society and Permanent Missions to discuss the human rights situation of the States to be reviewed at the 14th session of the UPR. This 14th session will be held from 22 October to 5 November and includes the following States: Argentina, Benin, Czech Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Japan, Pakistan, Peru, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Ukraine and Zambia.

The aim of these pre-sessions is to save civil society organisations (CSOs) time and resources and to enable them to meet several delegations from all regions at once. These meetings will offer CSOs the opportunity to brief diplomats from Permanent missions in Geneva about the human rights situation in their country and facilitate the drafting of their statements.

There will be one meeting per State under Review, each lasting one hour. The National human rights institution and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be given the floor one after another to share potential questions and recommendations for the Review. All permanent missions will be invited and will be given ten minutes at the end to ask questions to CSOs. The State under Review will also be invited.

Schedule

The pre-sessions will take place in Geneva at 1 rue de Varembé, ground floor, from 27 to 31 August, and will be organised as such:

Monday 27 August (9am-1pm):
- Czech Republic
- Argentina
- Ghana

Tuesday 28 August (9am-1pm):
- Peru
- Guatemala
- Switzerland

Wednesday 29 August (9am-1pm):
- Benin
- Gabon
- Republic of Korea

Thursday 30 August (9am-1pm):
- Pakistan
- Zambia
- Japan

Friday 31 August (10am-1pm):
- Ukraine
- Sri Lanka

The exact time and order of discussion within each day is subject to change. Please check our website closer to the date for the final timetable.

CSOs interested in participating and taking the floor need to fill in the form attached and return it by email by July 13th. The list will be established on a first come first serve basis and national CSOs will be given priority.

Opportunity for NGOs

CRIN's 2010 "Status of Children's Rights in the UPR" report, which included the findings of a survey of organisations who had engaged with the mechanism, highlighted the lack of consultation taking place between States and civil society throughout the UPR process. This initiative provides an opportunity to engage with States in the key period prior to the review.


Further Information

Visit CRIN's pages:


 

pdf: http://www.upr-info.org/Pre-sessions,1528.html

Attachment Link: 
http://www.upr-info.org/Pre-sessions,1528.html
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