Universal Periodic Review Session 32
21-25 January 2019 | Geneva, Switzerland
The Universal Periodic Review was established in 2006, and is the only process of its kind: a state-driven process that examines the human rights records of each of the 193 United Nations member states. Once every five years, every country reports to the United Nations on how it is implementing its human rights obligations under international human rights law and standards, and receives recommendations from other states on how to improve. The ultimate aim of the UPR is to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur.
In January 2019, New Zealand will be up for its third UPR alongside thirteen other countries. After months of consultation and submissions, the session in Geneva is the opportunity to witness the final part of the UPR process - an in-person review in front of the UPR Working Group. In addition, our delegates will get to experience an in-country Pre-Session with experts from UPR-Info in Geneva - the first in-country Pre-Session ever to be held in New Zealand - as part of their Training Weekend in Wellington.
Our last UPR in 2014 highlighted a need for New Zealand to improve its record on indigenous and gender-related rights issues. Our review in 2019 will show whether we’ve made progress in these areas, and will act as a key resource for human rights campaigners in Aotearoa over the next five years.
Of course, it's only appropriate that our delegates should explore Geneva - so as well as attending the first week of the 32nd UPR session, they'll visit cultural sights, meet with dignitaries, NGOs, and thinktank experts to learn more about New Zealand’s reputation on human rights issues, and have some free time to explore this international capital of diplomacy.
KEY INFO
DEPARTS AKL - 14 January
RETURNS TO AKL - 30 January
TRAINING WEEKEND - 25-28 October
APPLICATIONS DUE - 15 October
$1500 DEPOSIT DUE - 26 October
DELEGATION FEE - $5515
Head Delegate
KRISTY KANG
Kristy is passionate about healthy ageing and reducing inequalities in palliative care in New Zealand. Currently, she is undertaking her Master of Health Sciences at the University of Auckland and is also working on a MBIE-funded research project on social isolation among older New Zealand adults. As a public health graduate, it has been a lifelong dream for Kristy to visit the United Nations where important human rights discussions and decisions come to life!
Delegates
JORDANA POINTON-HAIMONA
Of Ngāti Pikiao and Te Whakatōhea descent, Jordana has a passion for seeing Māori succeed in whatever they put their minds to. She’s had enough of Māori ruling the “negative” stats e.g. health, education, and the high jail population. It’s 2018 and time for a change. Going to this conference will give her the tools to further understand UN processes, hear if NZ has improved since the last UPR, and influence change once she returns. Values and beliefs are part of what drives Jordana’s passion for social justice; pair this with a mind wired for both science and the arts, she has a unique perspective on the world and on finding solutions to see her people thrive now and into the future.
SARA BEKHIT
Sara is a final year Engineering student majoring in Networking and Communications at Auckland University of Technology. Being a minority and coming from a different background, Sara is particularly interested in human rights and what the UPR does to improve and challenge as a relatively new mechanism. She is part of Women in Urbanism Aotearoa with a background in Design Thinking. Attending the UPR will foster a much wider understanding in the situations present especially in New Zealand.
KATHARINE WOOLRYCH
Katharine is a globally-minded second-year student majoring in International Relations and Development Studies with a Minor in French at Victoria University. Human rights is her passion and it was her ambition to work for the UN’s human rights agency in Geneva that inspired her to apply for this trip. Katharine has been actively involved in leading Amnesty International groups since she was at school and is passionate about engaging and mobilising youth to take action on human rights issues.
ANIKA JOHN
Being a first-generation New Zealander, Anika has great appreciation for the health services, educational opportunities and security she has received from living in a developed country. Proud of her multi-ethnic upbringing, she applies the cultural values of her Sinhalese, Tamil and Chinese heritage to every aspect of her life. Anika is a 2nd year student at the University of Auckland. She is studying a BA/BGlobalSt conjoint majoring in Sociology, Drama, and Global Politics and Human Rights. Passionate about education and creating supportive foundations for children across the globe, she has been involved in programmes in her community and overseas that aim to help children gain skills of basic numeracy and literacy. In the future, she would like to be able to provide educational opportunities to children from underprivileged backgrounds. She is a firm believer that education is a key enabler in building futures.
ANNELIESE MITCHELL
Anneliese is currently studying a Bachelor of Global Studies with a major in Global Politics and Human Rights at the University of Auckland. She is very passionate about human rights around the world, especially the rights of women and ethnic minorities. She loves swimming, reading and martial arts. Anneliese wants to attend the UPR to give her a chance to witness how far these countries have come with their human rights and how they plan to continue to enhance their human rights outcomes for every citizen in their country.
EMILY ANDERSON
Emily is currently studying an LLB/BA conjoint majoring in Linguistics and Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington. She is particularly passionate about ending forms of blatant injustice against the rights of children. Through her involvement with churches, she has seen the international work carried out by missionaries for the protection of children and families facing extreme poverty. In the future, she wishes to be able to play a role in protecting the rights of children, both domestically and globally. Emily sees attending the Periodic Rights Review as essential to achieving this goal, as it will provide her with experience, knowledge and insight into how issues of rights are dealt with globally. Outside of these passions, Emily is an avid cat-lover, ukulele player, and maker of dad-jokes.