At the recent Human Rights Council session, Edmund Rice International made statements as part of the formal adoption of the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Reviews (UPR) of the United Kingdom and South Africa. During the review itself, which took place in May of this year, ERI lobbied member states regarding the recommendations made in our submissions.
During the Council session, State parties and other stakeholders had the opportunity to comment on the response of the UK and South Africa to the recommendations that were either accepted or only noted .
ERI Team member Constantine D’Abreu read a statement for the UK. He stressed a number of points including the right to food, the rise of homelessness and refugees and asylum seekers. Click here to view the webcast of the statement which begins after 42.36min. Whilst Pagan Blight, ERI’s intern, read a statement for South Africa. This statement pressed on a number of issues including violence against women, education, refugees and asylum seekers as well as housing. Click here to view the webcast of the statement which begins after 51.11mins. Other NGOs also participated in the meeting and spoke about their Human Rights concerns.
In November, the next cycle of the UPR will be held. ERI will continue to lobby during this time and will make submissions for Argentina, Zambia and Peru.