Canada
Statement to the Working Group
on the Universal Periodic Review of the
UN Human Rights Council
November 23, 2006

Outcome and follow-up to the review

Outcome:

The outcome of the review should be an assessment of the fulfilment by each State of its international human rights obligations and commitments, with consideration given to its capacity-building needs.
The outcome for each State undergoing review could consist of a report including: 
the summary and assessment paper prepared by OHCHR; 
the statement provided by the State under review; 
a summary of the inter-active dialogue prepared by a member of the UPR committee designated as the rapporteur for that State; 
the conclusions and recommendations of the UPR Committee; and 
the response of the State under review.   
The conclusions and recommendations of the UPR committee should include an assessment of the fulfilment by the State under review of human rights, including an assessment of follow-up to the Concluding Observations of the treaty bodies and recommendations of the special procedures, as well as of cooperation by the State with the UN human rights mechanisms.  The UPR committee could recommend follow-up measures such as:
implementation of the recommendations of the treaty bodies and special procedures;
additional steps to improve the implementation of human rights, including legislative or policy changes and adoption of best practices;
steps to improve cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms;
requesting additional information from the State on implementation of human rights and follow-up to recommendations; 
visits by special procedures;
the continuation of dialogue with the member of the UPR committee designated as the rapporteur for the State under review;
the appointment of an independent expert or other procedure to continue the dialogue with the State in question and report on follow-up; 
the establishment of a fact-finding mission or commission of inquiry; and 
capacity-building measures, technical assistance and advisory services.
The response of the State under review could include:
its comments on the Committee’s assessment, as well as its own self-appraisal;
information on how it intends to address and take action with respect to the issues raised in the dialogue and recommendations made by the UPR committee, including new commitments or pledges. 
if it so desires, the State may include in its response a request for technical assistance. 
Each UPR Committee would officially submit this outcome report to the Council at is next regular session for consideration and possible follow-up action.

Follow-up:

At each of its regular sessions, the Council should consider the reports of the UPR committees, including the outcomes of each review undertaken in the previous intersessional period.
The Council would adopt the UPR reports, including their conclusions and recommendations, which would then be made publicly available and transmitted to all relevant UN actors, including the treaty bodies, relevant special procedures, and other parts of the UN system which could contribute to follow-up of the recommendations.  The Council might also take other action within its mandate, including to decide to keep the report under consideration.
Follow-up action may also include:
1) voluntary initiatives and action by each State under review to act upon the issues raised in the dialogue and the recommendations made by the review;
2) cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms, including dialogue with and visits by special procedures;
3) technical cooperation programs with the support of the OHCHR, other relevant parts of the UN system, and other partners;
One possibility is that the member of the UPR committee or independent expert designated as the rapporteur for each State under review should continue to pursue this function, including dialogue and cooperation with each State.  In other words, a system of rapporteurs to engage in constructive dialogue and pursue follow-up with every country.
The outcome of each review and follow-up should become part of the next review for each State.