Universal Periodic Review

Every four years, countries that are members of the United Nations are examined on their overall progress in meeting their human rights obligations in a process called the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The UPR examination is undertaken by the UPR Working Group, which is a UN body that consists of the member states of the UN Human Rights Council.

The UPR process provides an important opportunity for individuals and organisations concerned with human rights issues in Aotearoa New Zealand to have these issues considered at the highest international level.

Contributions by civil society (people, institutions, and agencies outside government) are co-ordinated by the Human Rights Commission
For more information on the UPR process, follow the link and visit their website.
During Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2nd UPR, ACYA and other children’s sector organisations raised key children’s rights issues. These included:
  • Child poverty
  • Discrimination against Māori and Pasifika children
  • Children affected by abuse and by domestic violence

The list of UPR recommendations, in the following PDF files, reflects these concerns. You can also view the submissions made in the video made for the 2013/14 Universal Periodic Review in which ACYA's concerns were expressed in relation to the rights of children and youth in New Zealand.