Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has emphasised the importance of standard and regular reviews of all member states to underpin the Human Rights Council (HRC) with credibility

Below is an article by Louise Arbour for Business Daily Africa:

The UN Human Rights Council will need to adopt a number of decisions on technical modalities, which are essential both to the effective functioning of the Council itself, as well as to the smooth operation of all its mechanisms and bodies.

In particular, they should take all necessary steps to ensure that activities related to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) begin at the earliest date possible.

We are acutely aware that the credibility of the UN human rights system hinges upon satisfactory implementation of the review, since the UPR has the potential to greatly influence and address human rights situations on the ground.

Through the UPR all UN member States will now be reviewed in the same comprehensive manner on the basis of universal and equal parameters and standards. At the same time, countries under review will be fully involved in what is envisaged as a participatory and inclusive review process.

I appreciate that the Council recognised the need to broaden the sources of information for the UPR, including civil society’s contributions. This approach is crucial to building the basis for a comprehensive and meaningful review.

The Council has recognised the unique characteristics of the special procedures system and reaffirmed the central importance of the independence of mandate holders. 

The review of mandates, which will unfold over the coming year, presents an important opportunity to identify and close protection gaps in the special procedures system.

I continue to be concerned with the lack of progress in the DRC. None of the perpetrators of the serious crimes committed during the first six months of 2007 have been arrested and brought to justice.

Interference by military and political authorities in the administration of justice is prevalent, particularly in high-profile cases. Recent trials raise serious questions about the independence of the judiciary.

We have experienced some difficulties and delays in setting up other new regional offices which we were expecting to open in 2006-2007.

In particular, the Government of Egypt informed us in July [2007] that it would not be in a position to host the OHCHR Regional Office for Northern Africa.

We are now considering alternative locations. We have also encountered a continued delay with the planned deployment of a Senior Human Rights Adviser in Zimbabwe. In the interim, we are exploring other ways of working with relevant partners.

Ms. Arbour is UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.