International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions The principles are to: • promote the universality, interdependence, indivisibility and interrelatedness of all human rights • be a cooperative mechanism based on objective and reliable information and on interactive dialogue • ensure universal coverage and equal treatment of all States • be an intergovernmental process, UN Member-driven and action-oriented • fully involve the country under review • complement and not duplicate other human rights mechanisms • be conducted in an objective, transparent, non-selective, constructive, non-confrontational and non-politicized manner • not be overly burdensome to the concerned State or to the agenda of the HRC • not be overly long; it should be realistic and not absorb a disproportionate amount of time or human and financial resources • not diminish the HRC’s capacity to respond to urgent human rights situations • fully integrate a gender perspective • take into account the level of development and specificities of countries • ensure the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including NGOs and NHRIs.98 The UPR has six objectives: • the improvement of the human rights situation on the ground • the fulfilment of the State’s human rights obligations and commitments and assessment of positive developments and challenges faced by the State • the enhancement of the State’s capacity and of technical assistance, in consultation with, and with the consent of, the State concerned • the sharing of best practice among States and other stakeholders • support for cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights • the encouragement of full cooperation and engagement with the HRC, other human rights bodies and OHCHR.99 3. BASIS OF THE REVIEW The UPR is to review the “fulfilment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments based on human rights treaties and other instruments that they have ratified”.100 It is based on obligations arising from: • the UN Charter • the Universal Declaration of Human Rights • the human rights treaties to which the State under review is a party • voluntary pledges and commitments made by States, including those undertaken when presenting their candidatures for election to the HRC.101 The review is undertaken taking into account applicable international humanitarian law.102 98 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part I.B.2.; para. 3. 99 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part I.B.2.; para. 4. 100 GA Resolution 60/251; OP. 5(e). 101 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part I.A.; para. 1. 102 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part I.A.; para. 2. 38 | Chapter 6: Universal Periodic Review