HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

2nd session  

Joint statement by International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific in response to the Report of Working Group on Universal Periodic Review 

On behalf of: Center for Women's Global Leadership, International Alliance of Women, World Union of Catholic Womens Organisations, Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association International, Worldwide Association for Women, Zonta International, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Pax Romana  

2 October 2006

Thank you, Mr. President

 

1. The International Women's Rights Action Watch, and the other co-sponsors of this statement, have the following submissions to make on the UPR. Due to the limitation on time, we focus on some critical aspects to be addressed, while our NGO colleagues highlight other significant aspects which we endorse.
2. Mr. President, the HRC is uniquely placed to set the example of truly integrating women’s human rights at this pivotal moment of defining process and adopting good practice. We urge the Council to integrate gender equality and protection from multiple forms of discrimination into every stage and aspect of the review process, adopting standards defined by international treaties.
3. We support the near universal emphasis on the UPR being a results-oriented mechanism to strengthen implementation of human rights standards on the ground, obligations and commitments by all Member States resulting in a real and positive impact on the day-to-day enjoyment of human rights of all citizens. We caution against viewing the UPR as a ‘light’ or ‘general’ dialogue leading to little action and serving no real purpose. The UPR should be a comprehensive and rigorous process which promotes realisation of rights on the ground, maintaining a balance between implementation of State obligations under current conditions and the additional building of capacity necessary for more effective implementation. It should also take note of timeliness of reporting of the states concerned and the seriousness with which the state concerned has attempted to comply with the views of the treaty bodies.
4. The existence of democratic practices at the national level is essential for the adherence to human rights principles.  The UPR must therefore, develop indicators on elements such as freedom of the press; right to information; freedom of assembly; freedom of religion; a multi-party system; a conducive environment for the functioning of NGOs etc.  A vibrant civil society is critical in the interests of accountability.
5. We stress the need for intensive preparation for the review, given the three hour timeframe for the review. We support transparency throughout the process – in the preparation and submission of reliable information open to public scrutiny; during the review process and the follow-up, with active participation by all stakeholders including NGOs, national human rights institutions and special procedures. We support sourcing of data from multiple sources and analysis by independent experts, ensuring that such data is disaggregated by sex. Accredited NGOs should be invited to contribute credible, alternative information, and information provided by governments must be made available to the public.
6. On the composition of the reviewing body, we support the proposal of working groups comprising HRC members from each regional group and independent experts, with a sufficient number of experts on gender equality and women’s human rights. The above model has the potential for expertise, objectivity and commitment by Member States.
7. In the interest of efficiency and effectiveness, the review mechanism should work intersessionally, the periodicity of review of each Member State being approximately once in three years.
8. The UPR should urge countries to strive for universal ratification of all treaties. In particular States should be impelled to ratify the Optional Protocol to CEDAW; and to support the timely drafting of an effective and efficient Optional Protocol to the ICESCR. Members of the Council must demonstrate their seriousness by stressing country evaluations and renewing the mandates of country rapporteurs.
9. If the HRC is to fulfil its goals of increased credibility, transparency and effectiveness, it needs to invest in capacity building not only of State parties, but also of civil society which is a key partner in the realisation of human rights on the ground.
10. The UPR should ensure that where there is a conflict between “harmful effects of certain traditional or customary practices, cultural prejudices and religious extremism” and the fulfilment of women’s human rights, the latter holds primacy, as stipulated by the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 1993.

 

Thank you.

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