The participants were first given a comprehensive introduction to the function of the UPR mechanisms in connection with other the UN human rights mechanisms by Kamelia Kemileva, former UN Diplomat, now Special Project Manager at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Observing live UPRs
After engaging in a 'moot-UPR', the participants visited the Geneva-based NGO UPR Info and observed the review of Vietnam and Yemen from the observatory at The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), housed at the Palais des Nations.
Bringing UN recommendations home
The ultimate aim of the training is to increase the participants capacity in contributing to constructive involvement with human rights discourse through teaching-learning activities, academic research, and other forms of engagement. It is specifically designed for academics and experts who are involved in university-level teaching or other education programmes on Human Rights.
Hoa Thi Hong Ngo, student at the NCHR Theory and Practice of Human Rights master's programme, stepped in at short notice when one of the initial participants was unable to make it to the training.
It was a unique opportunity for me to build a rare and practitioner’s insight into this human rights mechanisms (UPR). We observed two UPR's (Vietnam and Yemen) and were able compare the reviews. Also, we received insight on how academia can engage in the UPR process specifically and with the mechanisms as a whole, says Ngo.
