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Norway and New Zealand participated actively in the negotiations on the UPR mechanism during the negotiations on the Institution Building package. We remain committed to the effective, inclusive and transparent implementation of the UPR and we welcome the adoption of the reports of the first two sessions of the UPR. Today marks an important milestone for the Council.
Any new mechanism or process takes time to implement and we recognise the evolving nature of the UPR process and its modalities. However we have the fundamental operational principles in place, namely that the process should be transparent, consultative and inclusive of all stakeholders at each step of the process. Chapter 1 of the Institution-Building Package provides the reference point as to the instruments and documents that form the basis of the UPR. Norway and New Zealand reaffirm our view that all issues related to the implementation of these human rights standards and obligations are relevant and appropriate to the UPR interactive dialogue and its outcome report.
The effectiveness of the UPR depends on the willingness of countries to be open to scrutiny and the transparent nature of the process. And we welcome the readiness of those States that have been reviewed to engage in the UPR process in a cooperative and constructive manner. We hope that the commitment shown will carry through to implementation of the recommendations contained in the outcome reports.
Norway and New Zealand are confident that, if there is genuine support for an open and inclusive UPR process and if it is given an opportunity to prove its value, the result can be concrete and constructive improvements in the promotion and protection of human rights in every State.
In respect of my own delegation, New Zealand, we continue to work constructively with our Pacific friends and we recognise the importance of supporting efforts to engage all stakeholders in this process, in both the preparation and the implementation of the UPR. We warmly welcome the Tongan delegation’s strong commitment to the UPR and the example it has set for others in the Pacific region. To support Pacific engagement, New Zealand will look to host a seminar on the UPR early next year for the Pacific region. We hope the seminar will provide the opportunity to exchange views on pragmatic approaches to the UPR based on lessons learned thus far. This will also inform preparation for New Zealand’s own review next year.
