The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism under the Human Rights Council that reviews the human rights situation in all 193 UN Member States once every four and a half years. All Southeast Asian states have undergone two review cycles of their respective human rights situations under the process. <span style="font-weight: 400;">But what is the impact of the UPR on human rights in the region? And does the focus on constructive dialogue and the state-centric nature of the process help improve the situation?</span>

<img class=" wp-image-2391 alignleft" src="http://asiacentre.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/upr.jpg" alt="upr" width="319" height="212" />The region is politically diverse with member states varying in their national human rights protection systems, ratification of UN human rights instruments and level of civil society engagement. In relation to the UPR process, a key issue is how it contributes to the advancement of human rights in the region and what role it plays in relation to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs).This conference seeks to critically examine the UPR process through evidence-based research to evaluate its impact on Southeast Asian states and societies.

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<p class="remove-margin-top remove-margin-bottom"><strong>Themes</strong></p>
<p class="remove-margin-top remove-margin-bottom"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key themes that will be treated are:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">1. Effectiveness of the UPR in addressing human rights protection gaps within Southeast Asia</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2. States adherence to UPR recommendations for improving the protection capacities of AICHR</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">3. States adherence to UPR recommendations for improving the protection capacities of NHRIs.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">4. Development of an intra-regional linkage to formally engage with the UPR process</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">5. Challenges faced by civil society in engaging with the UPR process</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">6. Other related themes</span></p>
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<p class="remove-margin-top remove-margin-bottom"><strong>Objectives</strong></p>
<p class="remove-margin-top remove-margin-bottom"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This conference aims to achieve the following objectives:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">1. Convene researchers working on human rights in Southeast Asia</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2. Exchange views among the authors researching the UPR process in Southeast Asia</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">3. Publish the outcomes in a special issue journal and/or an edited book</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">4. Contribute to the academic literature on the UPR and human rights in Southeast Asia</span></p>
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<p class="remove-margin-top remove-margin-bottom"><strong>Conference Structure</strong></p>
<p class="remove-margin-top remove-margin-bottom"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The conference will consist of thematic panels, country-specific discussions and a final plenary session which will be open to civil society groups, international organisations, government officials and the academic community to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.</span></p>
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<p class="wsite-content-title"><strong>Conference Fees</strong></p>
<p class="wsite-content-title"><strong>For Presenters        </strong><strong>                                                              </strong>
This is a self-funded conference hence a fee of USD$200 will be charged to all presenters, this will go towards covering the cost of the venue, equipment and logistics, coffee breaks on all days, certificates for presenters, and conference communications. There will be an early bird discount rate of USD$150 for registration and full payment made before 31 July 2016. We are also offering a special student rate of USD$75.</p>
<p class="wsite-content-title"><strong>For Participants         </strong></p>
<p class="wsite-content-title">You can also attend the conference as a participant to listen to the research being presented, participate in the discussions and engage with the researchers. There is single day rate of USD$75 and a conference package of $150 which will allow you to attend both days of the conference, the welcome dinner and the open plenary on Saturday. Students can pay a discounted rate of USD$40 for single day attendance or USD$75 to attend both days of the conference, the welcome dinner and the open plenary on Saturday. Coffee breaks and lunch are provided.</p>

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<div class="paragraph">Conference fee can be payed in two ways:
1. Directly to the bank account <strong>according to the instructions</strong> that will be listed on the<strong> invoice</strong>
2. <strong>Online payment </strong>using Secured Credit Card Payment</div>
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*Please be aware that all conference fees are not refundable.
**All costs regarding the transfer of the registration fee (Transfer fees) are to be covered by the applicant.

<strong>Submission Guidelines</strong>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Those wishing to present papers are invited to submit an abstract of 300 words along with a short biographical paragraph, in English to contact@asiacentre.co.th</span>

<strong>Deadlines</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Deadline for abstract submission has been extended to 15 August 2016</strong></li>
 	<li>Full paper submission: 1 September 2016</li>
</ul>
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<p class="clear-margins"><strong>Programme Outline</strong></p>
<p class="clear-margins"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2824" src="http://asiacentre.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Draft-Programme-1140x1612.jpg" alt="Draft Programme" width="1140" height="1612" /> <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2825" src="http://asiacentre.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Draft-Programme-Day-2-1140x1612.jpg" alt="Draft Programme Day 2" width="1140" height="1612" /></p>
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For information on the open plenary on 17th September 2017 please click here.

Do share this conference on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1784604575095088/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>!

<strong>Conveners:</strong> Professors James Gomez &amp; Robin Ramcharan

<strong>Host:</strong> Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

<strong><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2707" src="http://asiacentre.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/UPR-in-Southeast-Asia-Conference-Call-Final-Deadline-1140x1614.jpg" alt="UPR in Southeast Asia- Conference Call - Final Deadline" width="1140" height="1614" /></strong><code></code>