The Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council: an assessment of the first session

The Universal Periodic Review is an innovative mechanism for protecting and promoting human rights within the United Nations. Instituted by the Human Rights Council in 2006, it reviews human rights situations in all States. This article analyses the configuration of this new procedure in order to assess its success in de-politicizing human rights, and in providing substantive output on the improvement of human rights at domestic level. While it remains early to detect trends, the experience of the first session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review could shed light on both positive developments and concerns.