September 11, 2013 - Mr. Christophe Peschoux, specialist on UPR (Universal Periodic Review) issues from the OHCHR, gave a lecture to the master's students of the Institute for Human Rights. Mr.Peschoux started with his personal ideasconcerning human rights and civil society, after which he briefly introduced the UN Human Rights Mechanisms and the foundation and mandates of the UPR; highlighting its advantages compared to others. In his speech he also analyzed in detail the existing challenges and limitations.

Mr. Peschoux suggested that UPR was created to be a platform for all UN member states to be subject to review of their fulfillment of human rights obligations and commitments. The mechanism ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all States, without the dilemmas of instrumentalization and pan-politicalization. Its mainfunction is to help the states help themselves - as the measures and efficiency of the follow-up are predominantly based upon self-criticism and self-regulation, on the grounds of political will to motivate reforms from inside the individual member States. 

Written by DaiTingting. Proofread by Diana Zahorte. Final Proofread by Scott Phipps.