HUMAN RIGHTS IN NEW ZEALAND 20 1 0 FIGURE 2: the universal periodic review process Stage 1: Reports on New Zealand are prepared 1. New Zealand Government 2. Compilation of contributions by New Zealand Human Rights Commission and NGOs 3. Compilation of human rights findings by UN on New Zealand Stage 5: Follow-up processes Government will be required to report on how it has implemented recommendations at next UPR appearance. outcomes can also be considered in all UN processes. Questions in advance can also be submitted for the review process. Processes for implementation and follow up domestically can also be undertaken. Stage 2: New Zealand appears before UPR Working Group (7 May 2009) Government engages with other countries about the human rights situation in New Zealand and specifies steps it will take to improve the enjoyment of human rights. The Universal Periodic Review Process Stage 4: Report of the UPR Working Group is adopted at the Human Rights Council New Zealand Government indicates which recommendations it supports and which ones it rejects. Any government can ask questions of New Zealand or make recommendations. Stage 3: Report of the UPR Working Group Outcomes report will include conclusions and recommendations for consideration by New Zealand Government. of the UN human rights treaty-body system. 16 This identi- institutions and the human rights treaty-body systems, fies what the authors consider to be the key elements NHRIs recognised that the treaty-body system was under for reform and engagement of all relevant stakeholders. considerable stress. NHRIs also recognised that the The current range of treaty body practices and their multiple challenges confronting treaty bodies impact interaction with NHRIs and civil society, in particular, is on NHRIs’ ability to interact effectively with them, in a considered to be challenging, and to reduce their ability way that strengthens the authority of their reports and to contribute effectively to the work of the treaty body increases the ability to use those reports to make a real system. difference to the promotion and protection of human In the recent ‘Marrakech Statement’ on the strength- rights on the ground. The statement makes a number of ening of relationships between national human rights proposals to treaty bodies, UN member states, the Office 16 The Dublin Statement is accessible online at www.nottingham.ac.uk/hrlc/documents/specialevents/dublinstatement.pdf 17