Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism established by the Human Rights Council in 2006, pursuant to resolution 60/251 of the United Nations General Assembly. It aims to assess the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States regularly, ensuring equal treatment for all countries and striving to improve global human rights practices. UPR enhances transparency by enabling states to share actions taken to improve their human rights situations, address violations, and overcome challenges. Additionally, it facilitates the exchange of best practices and provides technical assistance to strengthen states’ capacities in addressing human rights issues.
Conducted in cycles, the UPR allows each Member State to be reviewed approximately every four and a half years. Reviews occur three times a year, with 14 states assessed in each cycle. This mechanism serves as a unique platform for strengthening the protection of human rights globally, promoting accountability, cooperation, and continuous improvement.
Ethiopia has undergone four cycles of review under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism: the first in December 2009, the second in May 2014, the third in May 2019, and the most recent cycle in November 2024.
In the first cycle, Ethiopia received 130 recommendations, supporting 98 of them. In the second cycle, it received 260 recommendations and supported 190. The third cycle yielded 245 recommendations, with Ethiopia supporting 231. In the last cycle, Ethiopia received 316 recommendations. The country will clarify its position on these recommendations no later than during the fifty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council, scheduled from February to April 2025.
Through this paper, Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights analyzes the recommendations submitted to Ethiopia, evaluating the state's responses in terms of acceptance or rejection, stating reasons for any rejections, and assessing the extent of Ethiopia's commitment to implementing these recommendations.