The Universal Periodic Review and the UK - by Michael Lane Paperback

Book Synopsis

Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence.

Foreword by Gianni Magazzeni, former Senior UN/OHCHR Official and UPR Chief at the United Nations.

This book analyses the impact of the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process through a case study of the UK. It advances a dual-perspective assessment of the UPR: the 'external' perspective, which focuses on a state's practice at the UPR, and the 'internal' perspective, which examines the influence of the UPR on the executive, legislature and judiciary.

The author introduces a new framework for assessing state participation, drawing on Kathryn Sikkink's 'Evidence for Hope' to advance the methodological rigour of UPR research. The UK context explored in the book highlights the influence of domestic politics, institutional capacity and accountability processes, with implications for Westminster systems worldwide. It is crucial reading for scholars, policy makers and practitioners of international human rights law.

Review Quotes

"This timely and well-written book focuses on an often overlooked human rights monitoring mechanism that is - contrary to almost all human rights mechanisms - truly universal in scope and application. Its focus on what international human rights law does and the combination of legal-doctrinal with interdisciplinary and empirical approaches and theories is much needed, especially in times in which human rights and international law are under attack and their effectiveness is questioned. Particularly valuable is that the book moves beyond the unitary conception of the state by carefully examining the different involvement in and uptake of the UPR process by the executive, legislature and judiciary. The book shows the opportunities for the UPR to be a catalyst for domestic mobilisation and leverage for domestic actors. It contains worthwhile recommendations for the UPR and the actors engaging with this process. This book constitutes a wonderful addition to the existing academic literature and a rich source of inspiration for practitioners and stakeholders involved." Prof. Jasper Krommendijk, Radboud University Nijmegen

About the Author

Michael Lane is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Worcester, UK. His research concerns the relationship between international human rights law and institutions and domestic legal systems. He is particularly interested in the United Nations' human rights mechanisms. His research has been published widely, and he regularly contributes written reports to United Nations bodies and parliamentary inquiries. He is also actively involved in consultancy and capacity building with individuals and organisations to help them engage with the international human rights mechanisms.