The PACT & UPR: The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a one-of-a-kind process that involves a review of all UN Member States’ human rights records. The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a state-driven process under the auspices of the Human Rights Council that allows each state to declare what actions they have taken to improve human rights situations in their countries and fulfill their obligations. The UPR, as one of the Council’s main features, is intended to ensure equal treatment for all countries when their human rights situations are assessed. This mechanism’s ultimate goal is to improve conditions in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur. There is currently no other universal mechanism of this type. As a youth-led coalition, the PACT is interested in the capacity of youth-led organizations to participate in the UPR process. The PACT wishes to broaden its work in the UPR and human rights spheres, supporting more global youth-led organizations in contributing to the UPR process, catalyzing national-level advocacy through step-down training, and assisting member organizations in submitting a report to the UPR as a civil society stakeholder for review by the Human Rights Council.
Why AHF?
Treatment access is a human rights issue, and recently, young people from various backgrounds have been unable to access treatment as a result of in-country violations. The PACT is well-versed in AHF’s efforts to expand treatment, which is why the PACT believes AHF will be a significant ally in our work to develop an in-country UPR report.
The PACT would like to collaborate with AHF based on this (and its partner organizations in countries that will be reporting in this UPR 2022/2023 cycle). It would be wonderful for you to see how The PACT has been performing since its collaboration with your prestigious organization.
To complete the project, the PACT will draw on its long-standing relationships with UNAIDS, SRI, and AHF.
Outputs & Outcomes
• A database of member organizations at the country level that have been trained on the UPR system to increase youth-led accountability initiatives in their respective regions.
• Incorporate UPR training and participation as a youth-led accountability tool into the strategies of member organizations and AHF In-country implementing partner.
• Track and monitor inequalities in HIV/SRH responses at the national level.
• Expand knowledge, awareness, and understanding of treatment, including its challenges and barriers to youth access.
Photo: aidshealth.org