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 –improve realisation of rights across all sectors 2

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

5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

13 Can attend as observer NGO if accredited

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

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 15

Making a submission NGO submissions are reviewed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR then prepares summary document 16

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 17

Making a submission Comply with technical guidelines of OHCHR: –Included in the Practical Guide for Civil Society – Universal Periodic Review published by the OHCHRPractical Guide for Civil Society – Universal Periodic Review 18

19

20

Making a submission New online submissions system: 21

Participation in wider process Government consultation International accountability Presence in Geneva 22

23

Adoption of outcomes Speaking rights –Priority given to coalition/joint statements Written statement Lobby government 24

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

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

Questions? 27

More information