International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions NHRIs, apart from that of the State under review, must share the observers’ speakers’ list with NGOs. The time for the debate is restricted to one hour and, unlike in the UPR Working Group, not every State or observer that wishes to speak will be given time. States and others that wish to speak in the plenary debate are given a place on the observers’ speakers’ list on a “first come, first listed” basis. When the allocated hour expires, the debate ceases, regardless of how many on the speakers’ list remain unheard. However, the “A status” NHRI of the State under review is guaranteed the opportunity to address the HRC plenary. 5.5. Follow up Implementation of the UPR recommendations is the principal objective of the process. States are expected to act on the recommendations they accept and to consider further those they do not accept. Implementation is a State responsibility but international assistance may be required, especially for least developed and developing States. The United Nations Development Programme, OHCHR and other UN agencies and field presences may be able to provide assistance with implementation. The procedures adopted for the UPR now require reporting on follow up and implementation. In the second cycle of the review, States are required to report on their follow up and implementation of recommendations of the first cycle.120 In subsequent cycles they will report on follow up on recommendations in all past review reports. In addition they are asked to provide the HRC with a midcycle report on implementation.121 NHRIs have important roles in encouraging follow up and implementation. • An NHRI can publicize the results of the review in its own country, through seminars and media statements and drawing them to the attention of the parliament and the general public. It can make the report widely and easily available; for example, by placing the report on its website and by providing it to relevant governmental Ministers, departments and agencies, to parliamentary committees, to NGOs, to academic institutions and to the general public. • An NHRI can encourage the State to accept recommendations the State did not accept at the HRC plenary. It can advocate for them directly with responsible Ministers and departments, with parliamentarians and in public forums and the media. • An NHRI can monitor the State’s implementation of the recommendations the State accepted at the HRC plenary. It can help to ensure that State commitments are met and implemented in fact, not only accepted in words. • An NHRI can report to the HRC on the State’s follow up and implementation. The UPR is on the agenda of every regular session of the HRC and statements can be made on matters relevant to the UPR under that item. During the first UPR cycle many NHRIs used that opportunity to report on implementation and to encourage the State to perform better. • Finally, in the following UPR cycle an NHRI can include in its information to the UPR Working Group a report on the State’s follow up and implementation of the previous cycle’s recommendations.122 6. SCHEDULING The second UPR cycle began in June 2012. Between then and the end of 2016, all 193 UN Member States will undergo the review. The HRC’s UPR Working Group will have three sessions a year, each of two weeks, and it will review 14 States at each session.123 States will be reviewed in the same order as in the first cycle.124 120 HRC Resolution 16/21; para. 6. 121 HRC Resolution 16/21; para. 18. 122 UPR Good Practice Compilation; Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions; 2010; A/HRC/14/NI/10. 123 HRC Resolution 16/21; para. 3. 124 HRC Resolution 16/21; para. 4. The full schedule for the second cycle is agreed in HRC Decision 17/119, Annex 1; see: www. ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx. 44 | Chapter 6: Universal Periodic Review