 Universal Periodic Review for the FSMPalikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): May 5, 2009 - At the Pacific Regional Workshop for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Human Rights that was held in Auckland, New Zealand from February 4-6, 2009, it was decided that all UN Member States will appear before the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council in Geneva and undertake a human rights records review. The FSM, which is a member of the UN, will appear before the Working Group during the 9th Session in December of 2010. The UPR process is a new mandate of the Human Rights Council when it was created in 2006. The review is conducted by the Working Group consisting of 47 members of the Council, but any UN Member State can take part in the discussion/dialogue with the reviewed states. The UPR will address human rights obligations as set out in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights instruments such as treaty bodies, voluntary pledges and commitments by the State, and applicable international law. The UPD will base findings on three items, namely, 1) report from the State under review, which can be in the form of a "national report", 2) information from stakeholders such as civil societies and human rights institutions; and 3) information contained in independent human rights reports and human rights treaty bodies such as CRC, CEDAW, etc. President Manny Mori has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs to take the lead on preparing the national report and enlisted the following departments to be part of the UPR Task Force; Department of Justice, Department of Health and Social Affairs, Department of Education, Office of National Archives, Cultural and Historic Preservation and the Office of the President. Ultimately, the Department of Foreign Affairs will make the presentation at the Human Rights Council meeting in December. |