Information and guidelines for relevant stakeholders on the Universal Periodic Review mechanism

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established by General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, is a new human rights mechanism. Through the UPR, the Human Rights Council (HRC) reviews, on a periodic basis, the fulfillment by each of the United Nations’ 192 Member States of their human rights obligations and commitments. Resolution 60/251 provides that the UPR shall

• Be based on objective and reliable information of the fulfillment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments;
• Be conducted in a manner which ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all States;
• Be a cooperative mechanism, based on an interactive dialogue, with the full involvement of the country concerned and with consideration given to its capacity-building needs; and
• Complement and not duplicate the work of treaty bodies.