International Human Rights Engagement Tütakitanga Tika Tangata o te Ao Our goal International commitments, engagements and activities have a positive impact in the realisation of human rights New Zealand has ratified several international treaties that require us to progressively realise a range of economic, social, cultural rights and provide for civil and political rights. The State’s performance in implementing the rights in the treaties is examined at regular intervals by the international treaty bodies. The Commission’s international engagement with UN treaty mechanisms has continued to be influential with significant take-up of our analysis and recommendations. Universal Periodic Review (UPR) The UPR is a process undertaken by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The UNHRC periodically reviews and assesses the human rights records of all UN Member States. As part of the UPR, States are given the opportunity to declare what actions they have taken to improve human rights in their countries and fulfil their human rights obligations. New Zealand’s third review under the UPR began in 2018. As part of the process, the UNHRC received submissions from the New Zealand Government and the Commission as well as a range of NGOs and civil society groups. Before lodging their submissions, the Commission and the Government consulted widely with NGOs and community groups. At the UPR pre-session in December 2018, the Commission presented a statement and engaged with States’ Permanent Missions to the UN Office in Geneva. As a result, a large majority of the Commission’s 78 recommendations were reflected in the UNHRCs UPR Working Group’s draft report on New Zealand, including recommendations in new areas such as SOGIESC rights, climate change, business and human rights, and a national plan of action for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This indicates that the Commission’s submissions and pre-session advocacy work had a demonstrable impact and influence on the eventual UPR recommendations issued by the UNHRC UPR Working Group in January 2019. Annual Report 2019 29