CSOs schooled on Universal Periodic Review Process

A number of civil society organisations (CSOs) were on Wednesday exposed to the process of Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a mechanism use to review the human rights situation in each of the United Nations Member States.

Presenting an overview of the UPR process and the role of the civil society, Mr Zakaria Yakubu, an official of Care International, said the UPR is necessary to help improve the human right situation in UN member countries

He said: “The UPR also helps member states to share information on best practices with the aim of improving human rights in totality.”

The workshop was organised by KASA, an environmental NGO, with support from Care International.

Ghana signed up to the UPR process in 2008 and has recently presented a report on the human rights situation in the country at the UN.

Mr Yakubu said it is important that CSOs understand the UPR process to help enhance and ensure universal coverage of equal treatment for all.

He said NGOs could participate in the national consultation process and could seize opportunities to run national campaigns on the UPR.

Mr Albert Kotako, Programmes Coordinator in charge of Forest and Natural Resource, Care International, said his organisation is committed to enhancing Ghana’s UPR process