UN High Commissioner writes to UK Government regarding UPR

Date: 17th November 2017
Category: UK 3rd periodic review

The UN High Commissioner has written to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson about the recent Universal Periodic Review of the UK that took place this year.

In his letter, the Commissioner notes that he is encouraged by the UK Government's commitment to follow up to the UPR recommendations by preparing an update on up to 5 recommendations by May 2018 and to submit a mid-term report on all recommendations by May 2019. He also welcomed the announcement that the UK Government has no plans to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Commissioner encourages the UK Government to ensure that any proposal to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 with a new British Bill of Rights does not lead to decreased levels of human rights protections. He also encouraged the UK to develop a national human rights action plan and to focus efforts on strengthening the national mechanism for comprehensive follow up and reporting in relation to international an regional human rights mechanisms and treaty obligations.

This letter follows the recommendations made as a result of the third cycle of the Universal period Review of the UK which took place between 2016 and 2017.