The Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council

 13 September, 2009
The Assyrian Universal Alliance (“AUA”) has been participating for years in United Nations meetings. This participation has become more effective since AUA joined the International organisation known as the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO).

On 28 August 2009, the Assyrian Universal Alliance submitted through UNPO a detailed report to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Iraq. The report contains details of human rights violations by the Iraqi Government against their indigenous Assyrian people. Iraq will face examination at the UN Human Rights Council 7th Session of the Universal Periodic Review in February 2010.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the Human Rights Council under which it reviews the fulfilment by each 192 UN Member States of their human rights obligations and commitments every four years. The UPR process has been introduced in part to increase the role of Civil Society in holding States accountable for their actions. Some of the major objectives of UPR are; to improve the human rights situation on the ground; to fulfil the State’s human rights obligations and commitments and to assess developments and challenges and offer cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights.
All 192 UN Member States are reviewed over the four year period, 2008-2011. This means that 48 countries will be reviewed each year; 16 in each of the three annual sessions of the UPR Working Group.

It is crucial for the Assyrians to be heard at this meeting. To ensure a continued presence of indigenous Assyrians in Iraq and that the new constitution of Iraq assure that security, democracy, complicity and safety for all nations in Iraq including the Assyrians. Indeed, it is the intention of the AUA to continue its active involvement at such international forums in the future. Only in this way, we can draw the world’s attention to the significant needs of our people.

See the overview link http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR

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