Universal Periodic Review and the UK

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.

• 1. IntroductionPart I: The External Perspective: The State at the UPR2. Why and How Do We Assess State Practice at the UPR? 3. The UK at the UPR Part II: The Internal Perspective: The UPR in the State4. Theorising the UPR’s Impact: The Role of Domestic Actors 5. The UPR and the Executive 6. The UPR and the Legislature 7. The UPR and the Judiciary Part III: Conclusion8. Concluding Remarks

"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