Friday 13 June 2025 –

We are pleased to share the launch of our new publication, developed in collaboration with UPR.info!

Corruption and human rights violations are two deeply interconnected challenges with far-reaching consequences for individuals, communities, and societies around the world. While corruption refers to the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, manifesting in practices such as bribery, nepotism, and embezzlement, human rights encompass the fundamental freedoms and entitlements guaranteed to every person, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other status, grounded in national, regional and international instruments.

This guide is a call to action for civil society organizations (CSOs). It offers practical, accessible steps for CSOs to engage in the UPR process. By leveraging this mechanism, CSOs can play a strategic role in pushing for systemic reforms that strengthen both governance and the protection of human rights.

Importantly, engaging with the UPR does not require starting from scratch. The recommendations emerging from the UPR offer an opportunity to strengthen and build upon existing anti-corruption initiatives. In many cases, UPR recommendations will align with ongoing priorities, such as promoting transparency, pushing for legal reforms, or protecting whistleblowers. Rather than viewing the UPR engagement as separate activity, it should be integrated into the regular advocacy, public awareness, and accountability initiatives of anti-corruption organizations.

Now more than ever, we need to connect the dots. We cannot fight corruption without defending human rights, and we cannot defend human rights without addressing the corruption that undermines them. With this guide, we aim to support your efforts to bridge silos, build alliances, and drive meaningful change where it matters most: in people’s lives.