The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its Potential to Foster Freedom of Expression, Access to information and Safety of journalists: Guidelines for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs)

The guidelines are designed explicitly for NHRIs to maximize the use of the UPR at the country level. They provide practical examples for engaging with the UPR before, during and after the review.

It is aimed to secure the active participation of as many parties as possible, and NHRIs are critical participants in this process due to their specialized role in upholding international human rights at the national level.

Hina Jilani, one of the founders of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the first Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Defender, drafted National Human Rights Institutions guidelines. The guidelines were developed from inputs from National Human Rights Institutions worldwide and finalized in consultation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

Some of the recommendations include: Keeping parliaments informed of UPR recommendations on improving freedom of expression; drawing attention to restrictions to media freedom online and offline; highlighting recommended legal protections, including for the Safety of women journalists, that may be missing in existing legal frameworks; underline the central characteristic of freedom of expression and access to information as enablers of other rights; among others.