The Role of International NGOs in the Universal Periodic Review of Pacific States: Distorting the Dialogue? 11 September 2013 (Natalie Baird, University of Canterbury)

Presentation Outline What is the UPR? Overview of the first cycle of the UPR in the Pacific The role of NGOs in the UPR The role of NGOs in Pacific UPR International NGOs: Benefits and challenges More collaboration between NGOs Conclusion

What is the Universal Periodic Review? All UN members every four and a half years; 42 states/year; 14 states in a two week session Inter-governmental process Not to be “overly burdensome” or “overly long” The yardstick for review: –UN Charter –Universal Declaration of Human Rights –Human rights obligations (treaties) of the state –Voluntary pledges and commitments –International humanitarian law Aim: Improve human rights on the ground

Features of the UPR Three documents: –national state report (20pp) –OHCHR compilation of UN information (10pp) –OHCHR “stakeholder summary” (10pp) Four phases: –Preparatory phase –Interactive dialogue (3 and a half hrs) –Outcome phase: a set of bilateral recommendations with State response (I hr) –Implementation and follow-up

First UPR Cycle: Pacific Experience Focus: 12 PIF members: Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Is, FSM, Nauru, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Solomons Opportunity to “tell the Pacific’s human rights stories” Good faith engagement: honest, open, reflective Nature of dialogue: beyond “naming and shaming” De facto human rights action plan Early signs of positive change: treaty ratifications, standing invitations, SR visit to Tuvalu Engagement with civil society –Consultation for national report –RRRT, PIFS and OHCHR Pacific workshops –Stakeholder balance: national cf international NGOs

What is the role of NGOs in the UPR? Defining “non-governmental organisation” International cf national NGOs The role of NGOs in the United Nations Opportunities for NGOs in the UPR: –National consultation on state report –Submit “stakeholder” report to Geneva: 5 pp (2815 words) or 10 pp (5630 words) >> Inclusion in “stakeholder summary” of OHCHR –Lobbying and advocacy at home and in Geneva –Statement during the final plenary session –Followup and implementation

Role of NGOs in UPR of Pacific States StateTotal number of stakeholders (NGOs) National NGOs International NGOs Coalition of national/int NGOs Tonga312- Tuvalu633- Vanuatu624- Fiji1798- Kiribati826- Marshall Islands 6321 Micronesia4-22 Nauru9621 Palau514- PNG1019- Samoa624- Solomon Islands 927- Tonga II413- Tuvalu II321-

Who are these international NGOs? Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children (UK): 13/14 Earth Justice (US) (incl coalition partners): 11/14 International Lesbian and Gay Coalition (Geneva and Belgium): 8/14 Amnesty International (UK): 6/14 Oceania Human Rights (US): 5/14 Marist and Franciscans (Geneva): 4/14 Institute on Religion and Public Policy (US): 3/14 Society for Threatened Peoples (Germany): 3/14 Human Rights Watch (US): 2/14 Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (Fiji): 1/14 [on Fiji] Fundacion Mundial Dejame Vivir en Paz (Costa Rica): 1/14 [on Fiji] Sexual Rights Initiative (Global North-South): 1/14 [on FSM] University of Oklahoma College of Law International Human Rights Clinic (US): 1/14 [on PNG] International Centre for Transitional Justice (US): 1/14 [on Solomons] Child Rights International Network (UK): 1/14 [on Tonga II]

International NGOs: Benefits and Challenges Benefits: –Filling a gap –Expertise –Dealing with controversial issues –Geneva base for lobbying –Solidarity Challenges: –Dilution of Pacific human rights stories –Formal limitations of rights cf actual reported violations –Approach to understanding of rights –Single issue focus –Int’l NGOs regarded as more credible than national NGOs?

Developing more collaboration between international and national NGOs Theme: influence > responsibility Radical reimagining of int’l NGOs Partnerships between nat’l and int’l NGOs A human rights wiki? (Philip Alston) Capacity building Funding

Conclusion Benefits and challenges with international NGOs Concern: The risk that the Pacific’s human rights stories are distorted Comments and questions very welcome