Know the UNUPR: A Practical Guide for Our Community

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An advocacy + learning resource from Kenneth & Jacob’s House
#KNOWTHEUNUPR

Executive Summary

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is the UN’s peer-review of every country’s human rights record. It creates rare, high-impact openings for community voices; especially refugees, asylum seekers, LGBTQIA+ people, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other groups often excluded from policy rooms to shape concrete recommendations to government. This guide explains what the UPR is, why it matters to our community, how to participate safely and effectively, and what to do after the review to turn recommendations into real change. OHCHR+1

Definition. The UPR is a state-led, public review of each UN Member State’s human rights record, conducted by the UN Human Rights Council, typically about every five years in the current cycle. OHCHR+1ISHR Academy

Evidence Base (the 3 documents):

  1. The Government’s National Report;

2. The UN’s Compilation (treaty bodies, Special Procedures, UN Country Team);

3. The Summary of Stakeholders’ Submissions (civil society, NHRIs, regional mechanisms). UPR info

UNUPR’s Goal is to improve human rights on the ground by tracking what was recommended last time, what changed, and what must change next. UPR info

Why the UPR matters to our community

  • It gives grassroots realities like barriers to healthcare, safety, education, housing or documentation direct visibility in a formal UN process. OHCHR
  • Any civil society actor can submit (you don’t need ECOSOC status), alone or in coalitions, and you can also brief diplomats at Pre-sessions before the review. UPR info+1
  • Reviews are public and webcast, which helps advocacy and media engagement at home. Homewebtv.un.org

Kenya’s current UPR timeline (Cycle 4)

  • Working Group review: 1 May 2025 (Session 49) in Geneva.
  • Stakeholder submission deadline: 11 Oct 2024 (past).
  • Adoption of outcome report: Sept 2025 (forthcoming as of 22 Aug 2025).
  • Previous Kenya review: Jan 2020 (Cycle 3).
    These anchors help you plan post-review advocacy now (implementation & follow-up). UPR infoOHCHR

How you can participate step by step!

A. Before the Review, Prepare and submit evidence

What to write (content focus)

  • Document changes since the last review, including what was implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented, and propose SMART recommendations (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Result-oriented, Time-bound). UPR info

How to write (format rules that matter)

  • Length: up to 2,815 words for individual submissions; 5,630 words for joint submissions (endnotes, cover page, annexes excluded).
  • File type: Word document (.doc/.docx) for the main submission; annexes can be other formats.
  • References: use endnotes only.
  • Languages: any UN official language ideally English, French, or Spanish.
  • Number pages & paragraphs; clearly identify your organisation(s) on a cover page. UPR info

Where to submit

  • Use the OHCHR “On-line UPR Submissions Registration System” (create/approve your org profile, then upload). If you face technical issues, contact the UPR Submissions Helpdesk. UPR info

Timing

  • OHCHR sets session-specific deadlines; as a general rule, plan to submit at least six months before the Working Group session. UPR info

Quality tips (quick wins)

  • Prioritise first-hand evidence and cite sources in endnotes; focus on trends and implementation gaps; keep recommendations concise (some expert guides suggest keeping them to ~10 top asks). UPR infoactioncanadashr.org

B. Brief diplomats at Pre-sessions

  • What they are: Non-governmental briefings organised about one month before the UPR where civil society/NHRIs present key issues to recommending States.
  • Why they matter: You can explain your context, give top 5–10 asks, and secure state champions to raise them during the live review.
  • How to join: Apply to speak; training and networking are often provided. UPR info+2

C. During the Review (Geneva & at home)

  • Watch the livestream, amplify messages on social media, and coordinate with allies to thank and nudge recommending States in real time. Record which States echoed your asks. Home

D. After the Review

  • Once Kenya’s outcome report is adopted (expected Sept 2025), map which recommendations align with your priorities, then:
    • Assign owners (who will follow which recommendation).
    • Draft an implementation roadmap with Government, KNCHR, county actors, and UN partners.
    • Track progress using an open spreadsheet and public scorecards; engage Parliament/county assemblies and the media.
    • Use the UPR recommendations database to see how other countries framed similar issues and what worked. UPR infoGeneva Academy

Prioritizing Safety and Ethics.

  • Anonymity & consent: Do not include details that could identify survivors, children, or people at risk. Only reference individual cases with informed consent, and only when it will not jeopardise anyone’s safety (or when already public). Otherwise use composites and remove identifiers. UPR info
  • No reprisals: If intimidation or reprisals occur (or are threatened) due to engagement with the UN, report them immediately through OHCHR channels. Document time, place, and actors. UPR info
  • Digital security basics for submissions: encrypt drafts, restrict access to named editors, avoid sharing raw interview files over unsecured apps, and store consent forms offline. (General good practice aligned with UN guidance on safe cooperation; pair with your org’s safeguarding policy.) UPR info

What makes a powerful UPR submission? (A mini-workshop in 10 minutes)

a) Build from last cycle → this cycle

  • Start with 3–5 priority themes (e.g., legal protection from SOGIESC-based violence; documentation & services for refugees/asylum seekers; access to healthcare; safe education & livelihood).
  • For each theme:
    • Context (what changed since 2020/2025?)
    • Evidence (brief, credible, disaggregated where possible)
    • Barrier (law/policy/practice)
    • Result (who is affected/how)
    • SMART recommendation (1–2 lines).
      This aligns with OHCHR’s emphasis on implementation-focused, concise, actionable submissions. UPR info

b) Sample SMART recommendation (illustrative)

“By June 2027, adopt and implement a national protocol for safe, non-discriminatory access to emergency and primary healthcare for refugees and LGBTQIA+ persons, including confidential intake, zero-discrimination training for frontline staff in all county hospitals, and annual public reporting on complaints and redress.”
(Short, time-bound, measurable; fits UPR style guidance.) UPR info

c) Keep recommendations focused
Some practitioner guides suggest keeping to ~10 priority recommendations total so diplomats can lift and use them during the session. actioncanadashr.org

Storytelling that protects people (advocacy with care)

Diplomats remember people more than statistics. But safety comes first.

Ethical story steps we use at Kenneth and Jacob’s House:

  1. Informed consent (explain risks/benefits; withdraw-anytime option).
  2. Risk check (ask: could this detail identify someone in their community?).
  3. Minimal identifiers (use age ranges, general locations, avoid dates that triangulate).
  4. Needs, not voyeurism (what support changed the outcome?).
  5. Close the loop (offer psychosocial support and share outcomes).
    These align with OHCHR guidance to avoid identifiable details for children and survivors and to submit only information that does not endanger individuals. UPR info

Kenya specific advocacy ideas (2025–2027)

  • Map allies: KNCHR, county health and education departments, Parliament committees, UPR Kenya Coalition, UNHCR/WHO/UNDP country teams; secure a joint implementation roundtable within 60 days of outcome adoption. knchr.orgeachrights.or.ke
  • Media & community education: Live-tweet adoption; publish a plain-language explainer in Kiswahili/English; host community forums to translate recommendations into day-to-day rights (ID access, safe reporting channels, clinic practices). Home
  • Follow-up reporting: Publish a 6-, 12-, and 24-month community scorecard on priority recommendations; brief recommending States’ embassies quarterly; submit mid-term updates to OHCHR/UPR-Info. Geneva Academy

Quick checklist (pin this!)

Before submission

  •  Pick 3–5 themes; gather first-hand evidence.
  •  Draft ≤2,815 words (individual) or ≤5,630 words (joint); Word doc, endnotes, numbered pages.
  •  Only include safe, consented information; anonymise and remove identifiers.
  •  Upload via the OHCHR UPR online system; confirm receipt. UPR info

Pre-sessions

  •  Apply to speak; prepare a 5-minute brief + 1-page handout with 10 sharp asks. UPR info

During review

  •  Track which States support your asks; record quotes/time stamps from the webcast. Home

After review

  •  Map accepted recommendations; create an implementation plan with roles, timelines, and indicators.
  •  Use the UPR recommendations database for comparative language and follow-up tactics. Geneva Academy
  •  Publish community scorecards; brief media and county officials.

Glossary

  • UPR Working Group: 14 countries reviewed per session (3 sessions/year). UPR info
  • Stakeholders: Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), regional mechanisms. UPR info
  • Outcome Report: The final document with recommendations and the State’s responses (accepted/ noted), formally adopted a few months after the review. Home
  • Pre-sessions: Civil society briefings for diplomats about a month before the review. UPR info

Further learning & reference materials

  • OHCHR Basic facts about the UPR (what it is, who participates, cycles). OHCHR
  • OHCHR 4th cycle information (2022–2027; calendars and guidance). OHCHR
  • OHCHR Technical Guidelines for Stakeholders (4th cycle) (word limits, format, safety, deadlines, portal). Read this before drafting. UPR info
  • UPR Info Country page (Kenya) (deadlines, session dates, adoption timing). UPR info
  • UPR Info Pre-sessions hub (what they are, how to apply, training, networking). UPR info+1
  • ISHR Academy UPR Basics (friendly e-learning). ISHR Academy
  • UN Web TV (watch reviews & adoptions; amplify advocacy). webtv.un.org

About this guide & who it’s for

This resource was written for community members, youth leaders, paralegals, health navigators, educators, and advocates connected to Kenneth & Jacob’s House who want to use the UPR to advance dignity, safety, health, education, livelihoods, and inclusion for people too often pushed to the margins.

#KNOWTHEUNUPR #HumanRights #CommunityEmpowerment

Appendix

‘One page template for a stakeholder submission“

Cover page: org name(s), logo, contact, short description.
1) Summary of key concerns (½ page).
2) Methodology (2–3 lines).
3) Thematic sections (3–5):

  • Context since last UPR (what changed; cite prior rec numbers if possible)
  • Evidence (brief findings; 2–3 endnotes)
  • Gap/barrier (law/policy/practice; who’s affected)
  • SMART recommendations (1–2 lines each; keep the whole doc to ≤2,815 words individual / ≤5,630 words joint). UPR info

Safety note: Do not include names or details that could identify survivors, children, LGBTQIA+ persons, refugees/asylum seekers, or others at risk. If reprisals occur, alert OHCHR immediately. UPR info

Disclaimer: This guide is informational and complements not replaces legal advice or official UN documentation. Always consult the latest OHCHR pages for confirmed deadlines and procedures. OHCHR

Published by Kenneth and Jacob's House (KENJAC)

Temporary transitional housing and care, psychosocial support, advocacy and social life skills for LGBTQ runaways and homeless youth in Kenya.

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