Korea University Human Rights Center held the 2018 International Model UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review

- Undergraduate/graduate students from South Korea, Japan, and China (Hong Kong) discussed major human rights issues in four Northeast Asian countries.

- The UPR helps in the understanding of UN human rights protection systems and human rights conditions in UN member states in Northeast Asia.

- The UPR offers opportunities to learn about the diplomacy of human rights and to enhance human rights sensitivity.

The Korea University Human Rights Center hosted the 2018 International Model UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review from July 31 to August 3 at the international teleconference room in KU's Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall.

This program was co-organized by the Korea University Human Rights Center, Human Asia, City University of Hong Kong, International Christian University of Japan, and Ritsumeikan University, and was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, the Seoul Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Daesan Agriculture Foundation.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council, which was launched in 2008. It is a process that involves a review of the human rights issues of all 193 UN member states every four-and-a-half years. It provides an opportunity for all states to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. After completing the first cycle (2008-2011) and the second cycle (2012-2016), the UPR is now in its third cycle (2017-2021). South Korea was reviewed by the UPR working group in 2008 and 2012, and served as the chair country in the 2016 UPR session.

The 2018 International Model UN Human Rights Council UPR was attended by about 45 people, including undergraduate/graduate students and the jury.

On July 31, the first day of the program, all participants gathered together for the first time and had a social night, introducing themselves and getting to know each other. The finals were held on August 1 and 2, 2018.

Unlike last year’s UPR, which included only South Korean students, this year’s program was attended by applicants from South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, who represented four countries: South Korea, North Korea, Japan, and China.

“Unfortunately, most East Asian countries, including South Korea, have little interest in human rights issues and the UPR. I hope this program can help enhance their interest in human rights,” said Soh Changrok, Director of the Korea University Human Rights Center.

The agenda of the 2018 model UPR is composed of four items: freedom of expression, human trafficking and rights of children, climate change, and gender inequality and sexual violence.

During the finals, the main parts of the program started at 10:00 after a brief explanation of the objective of the program and judging criteria. The UPRs of South Korea and China were conducted on August 1, and those of Japan and North Korea on August 2. Each day was packed with three sessions: UPR deliberation, presentation of outcome reports, and Q&A. During the Q&A sessions, questions were asked by the representatives of countries other than the four countries reviewed.

At the end of the finals on August 1, the representatives of the four countries presented their essays. And at 5:00 p.m., the jury made comments on the participants’ performances. All five members of the jury stressed that this program is meaningful because Asia is the only region in the world without a regional human rights body. In addition, the jury pointed out the students’ weaknesses that were identified during the presentations and discussions.

Daniel Connolly, Research Professor at Korea University and a member of the jury, said, “Their presentations were more thought-out and professional than I have expected, but it would’ve been better if they took more practical and diplomatic approaches to human rights issues.”

After the jury’s comments, a video capturing the major events of the program was shown to the participants and the winners were announced and presented with their awards. Two teams were selected for the Best Essay Award and the Best Collaboration Award, respectively. The Best Teamwork Award went to China. The second prize winner, Mongolia, also won the Seoul UNHR Office Award. And the Grand prize winners, South Korea and Indonesia, also received the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Award.

On August 3, the last day of the program, the participants joined the Human Rights Tour, visiting human rights-related institutions and locations in South Korea.