At its UPR last year, the UK voluntarily committed itself to providing a mid-term report on progress made against the 132 recommendations it received. In light of this, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) invited members of civil society to participate in a stakeholders' consultation event focussed on the preparation of the report.
Hayley Richardson, Policy & Advocacy Officer, represented UNA-UK in a group addressing issues of an international focus. UNA-UK raised the issues it highlighted in its submission to the Joint Committee, some of which the group flagged as priorities for the MoJ's report:
- Financial commitment to international development
- Extraterritorial application of the United Nations Convention Against Torture
- Diplomatic assurances against torture including releasing details of their content and countries engaged
- Explanation of the United Kingdom’s position on the United Nations Convention Against Enforced Disappearance
The group also identified areas which weren't covered by the UPR recommendations but considered important for the UK to consider:
- United Kingdom’s position in respect of the United States’ drone programme
- Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and stronger accountability mechanisms in all the Devolved Administrations
