The National Lawyers Guild participated with more than 300 organizations, including the US Human Rights Network and the Bringing Human Rights Home Lawyers Network, to promote the use of international law and the human rights framework and advocate for US ratification of treaties that recognize economic, social and cultural rights. The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the US will take place in Geneva on November 5, 2010.
The Universal Periodic Review, established by the U.N. in 2006, assesses each member nation’s adherence to its human rights obligations under the U.N. Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights treaties ratified by the country, its voluntary commitments, and applicable international law. The UPR occurs every four years; this is the first review of the U.S. The U.N. Human Rights Council will hold hearings on the U.S. record on November 5th.
The National Lawyers Guild International Committee directly participated in producing three reports:
The US Human Rights Network compiled a comprehensive report summarizing and compiling the Joint Reports to the UPR by over 300 civil society organizations, including those above. This 421 page document serves as a guide to the contemporary human rights situation in the United States, with excellent research and case studies.
The responses on 26 human rights topics were prepared and endorsed by nearly 300 civil society organizations and individuals.
The report can be downloaded in its entirety at www.ushrnetwork.org or www.ushrnetwork.org/upr_reports.
