Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

The UK takes part in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This is a peer review process conducted by the UN Human Rights Council to assess the human rights situation in every UN Member State. The UPR assesses the extent to which states are putting human rights into practice, looking at each state’s human rights obligations as set out in:

• the UN Charter
• the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• the international human rights treaties each state has signed up to
• voluntary commitments, such as national human rights policies
• relevant international humanitarian law (which regulates the conduct of war)

How the UPR is monitored

Under the UPR, the human rights situation of every UN Member State is reviewed every 5 years. The review is conducted by the UPR Working Group, which consists of the 47 members of the UN Human Rights Council. Find out more about the previous review cycles. There are four stages in the UPR cycle. Civil society organisations can engage throughout this process. The UN website has information on how to participate. Further information on the UPR cycle and civil society participation can also be found on UPR Info.

Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle