Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions 2.2.2. The role of NHRIs in the UPR NHRIs have been recognized with a specific role in the UPR procedure. They provide an important source of independent information on the country’s human rights situation, including the situation regarding torture and ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. It is therefore very important that NHRIs make use of their opportunity to contribute to the UPR process. Preparation for the review Given their mandate, NHRIs are able to collect and compile independent, reliable and well-documented information on the human rights situation in their country. This information can form the basis of their report to the UPR. The Human Rights Council has issued detailed guidelines regarding the structure and length of reports, along with deadlines for their submission.36 NHRIs can, at the least, submit their latest annual report or relevant thematic reports. The documents submitted by NHRIs and other national stakeholders are available in full on the website of the Human Rights Council and are summarized in a compiled format prepared by OHCHR. The report can also be publicly presented at the national level in preparation of the review. In addition, NHRIs can propose questions and issues that Member States might raise during the review of the State, as well as suggest concrete recommendations that the UPR procedure could make to the State. Review of the State The human rights situation is reviewed by the working group of the Human Rights Council, which takes the form of an interactive dialogue with the State delegation. This dialogue is open only to Member and Observer States of the Human Rights Council. NHRIs are not able to take part in the dialogue, although they are able to attend the session as observers. This provides them with a further opportunity to lobby Member States and propose questions and recommendations. Adoption of the report NHRIs can participate in the general debate on the report of each State review, which occurs during the following session of the Human Rights Council. As NHRIs cannot contribute to the dialogue during the review of the State, it is important that they make use of opportunity to contribute to the discussion at this plenary session. In fact, many NHRIs are already engaging constructively in this forum to raise issues and propose concrete recommendations. Follow-up on recommendations The role of NHRIs goes beyond participation in the UPR reporting and review process. As key national stakeholders, they are uniquely placed to follow-up on the implementation of recommendations made by the Human Rights Council. NHRIs can engage with the State and civil society on the most appropriate and effective ways to monitor implementation and follow-up to the UPR procedure. In addition, NHRIs are well placed to disseminate the outcome of the UPR process at the national level by developing relevant education and awareness-raising programmes. Azerbaijan participated in the UPR session held in February 2009. Prior to this, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) initiated a series of awareness-raising activities in the country, including meetings with relevant authorities and civil society and a one-day workshop, which included expert participation from the Irish Human Rights Commission and the OHCHR Regional 36 See: www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/NgosNhris.aspx. 74 | Chapter 7: Cooperating with international mechanisms