Universal Periodic Review: The Status of Children's Rights - CRIN

Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) NGO Survey Findings
“Start the preparation process earlier and conduct a clear analysis of policies and practices in order to
reflect accurate information to the UPR”
2. A more effective follow-up plan
As highlighted above, a number of organisations agreed that the overall follow-up approach carried out by NGOs on
UN mechanisms was inadequate and urgently needed addressing, and the UPR was no different in this respect. The
organisations emphasising the importance of a stronger follow-up plan were largely the international NGOs who had
more capacity and resources than national NGOs.
One international NGO stated:
“Adopt a better follow-up plan after the review and use the recommendations and any sign of positive
response from the State. At the same time, provoke others to do the same”
Another reported:
“Focus on following up the outcomes of the review in a more structured and calculated way”
Another NGO mentioned the important role the media could play in following up the outcomes of the review. Few
organisations commented on their interaction with the media on the UPR. Once more, this is an important area that
requires further research in order to collate successful examples of media coordination.
3. Increase participation of children in the reporting process
Whilst very few NGOs had involved children in the reporting process for the UPR, a number of organisations
highlighted this as a priority for future reporting, signalling their views that the participation of children would enhance
their engagement with the mechanism.
4. Encourage participation of more NGOs
The overall lack of awareness about the UPR, and how it works, regularly surfaced in the responses, particularly when
organisations were talking about fellow national and local NGOs, those distant from the Geneva arena. Whilst some
organisations had already promoted awareness of the UPR, its benefits and ways to engage with this new mechanism,
many acknowledged that this is an important area to focus on.
5. Stronger lobbying, particularly making use of international lobbying
The majority of organisations acknowledged the power of lobbying for this new mechanism, but either had not had the
time or the capacity to do this, or were unaware of how to do it.
One person said:
“We need to apply more intensive lobbying, through our Geneva office, on States and troikas to push our
issues.”
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