On 2 December 2009, Albania will undergo its first review of its human rights record under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review Mechanism. The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator is holding a webcast of this review from 14:15 to 17:30.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a process that examines the human rights records of all 192 United Nations Member States once every four years. It provides an opportunity for all States to declare what actions they have taken to improve their human rights situations and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. It also provides a means to share good practices around the world. The United Nations Human Rights Council undertakes the review.

The aim of UPR is to improve the respect for human rights in every country. For Albania, it means that, on 2 December 2009, the Government will make a presentation of its human rights record, and then any UN Member State may ask questions to the Government representatives and make recommendations. The Government has time to answer questions and respond to recommendations proposed by other countries.

At the end of the three hour review, the Government chooses which recommendations it intends to implement over the next four years and those recommendations, as well as any recommendations rejected, are published in a report two days later on 4 December 2009.

Albania’s review is based on the information in three reports: one report of the Government; one report of UN information; and one report of other information, such as NGO information. However, the review is not limited to the information in these reports and any country can ask a question on any human rights issue.

Issues of relevance to Albania include: gender equality, anti-discrimination, blood feuds, access to services for children, conditions in prisons, minority rights, trafficking in human beings, workers’ rights and education.

To access the three official reports (go to ‘UPR by country’ and click on Albania):

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/Documentation.aspx

To access further information on UPR:

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx