The Universal Periodic Review is a State-driven process, which provides the opportunity for each State to present what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situation in their country and to fulfil their human rights obligations; the State under review will also report on the implementation of the previously accepted recommendations. UN Member States have the possibility to ask questions and make recommendations to the State under review. UPR Working Group consists of the 47 members of the Council, however any member state can take part in the discussion.
The review is based on information provided by the interested State, independent human rights experts and other stakeholders such as NGOs.
NGOs reports and proposed recommendations can be referred to by any of the States taking part in the interactive discussion during the review; it is therefore of vital importance to engage at the UPR and address specific issues which can be therefore part of the dialogue with the country under review.
IFOR focuses in particular on issues related to conscientious objection and to the militarization of society.
New reports have been prepared for the upcoming 37th session of the UPR and both focusses on military recruitment and conscientious objection.
The submission concerning Austria raises, in particular the concern about the recruitment of 17-years old, contrary to international standards. The one on Georgia outlines the discrepancy between the duration of alternative service and that of military service, and about the independence of the bodies which assess conscientious objector claims; additionally there are concerns about the subjection of children of school age to military, including firearms, training.
Read the full text of the report submitted on Austria here and on Georgia here .
The 37th UPR session will take place in January 2021; NGOs will have the opportunity to directly engage at the pre-session scheduled for the end of this year.
More info about the previous UPR of Austria are available here and about Georgia here.