Human rights through the kaleidoscope: the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council has emerged as a distinct lens to view fulfilment of state obligations. It is one that has grown in prominence to now constitute a key part of observing human rights worldwide. However, thinking about the UPR as a lens has not yet been extensively undertaken. The present article illuminates this element of the mechanism’s identity, enhancing understanding of how the UPR’s lens works and the view that it offers. To do so, it looks to the concept of the kaleidoscope. The UPR demonstrates three components that map onto the kaleidoscope as an optical device: it produces a picture of human rights that is made up of many inter-connected elements; reflects these elements via mirrors that are built into the process; and generates an ever-changing picture that is capable of infinite variation. These components operate in a double-edged manner to pose potential challenges for viewing human rights as well as to offer utility. Ultimately, the article argues that sufficient grounds arise to justify the mechanism’s continued engagement as a lens, albeit this must be informed by more conscious conceptual foundations. Approached in this manner, the UPR offers a view through the kaleidoscope that brings human rights into focus in rich and textured ways.