Human Rights and the UN Universal Periodic Review Mechanism: A Research Companion

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a peer-review mechanism, reviewing all 193 UN Member States’ protection and promotion of human rights. After 10 years of the existence of the UPR mechanisms, this collection examines the effectiveness of the UPR, theoretical and conceptual debates about its modus operandi, and the lessons that can be drawn across different regions/states to identify possible improvements.

The book argues that despite its limitations, the UPR mechanism with its inclusive, cooperative and collaborative framework, is an important human rights mechanism with the potential to evolve over time into an effective cooperative tool for monitoring human rights implementation. Divided into three parts, the first focuses on exploring a variety of theoretical approaches to understanding the UPR mechanism. The second part examines specific human rights themes and the relationship between the UPR mechanism and other international mechanisms. Finally, Part III questions implementation and the ways in which states/regional groupings have engaged with the UPR mechanism and what lessons can be learned for the future.

The volume will be a valuable resource for researchers, academics and policy-makers working in the area of International Human Rights law, International Organizations and International Relations.