As VIVAT International’s representative in Geneva, my mission is to ensure that concerns arising from our congregations and grassroots partners reach the United Nations Human Rights Council and related mechanisms in a credible, timely, and effective way. Recent months have focused on three key areas: Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions, capacity-building, and strengthening grassroots collaboration for human rights advocacy.
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Engagements
Papua New Guinea: Addressing Sorcery-Related Violence
On 10 April, VIVAT International successfully submitted a UPR report on Papua New Guinea (PNG), focusing on sorcery accusations and related violence, which continue to result in grave human rights violations, especially against vulnerable people.
The report emphasized the urgent need for stronger state protection mechanisms, greater accountability, and action to address the structural and cultural factors that allow these abuses to persist.
This submission was the result of close collaboration between VIVAT PNG, the Melanesian Institute, and the Geneva office. Although the process was challenging, with documents arriving late and in fragmented form, the material was carefully consolidated, edited, and aligned with UN technical requirements to meet the submission deadline.
The next important phase will be the UPR pre-session and lobbying stage in August, during which I plan to engage with states and stakeholders to ensure these issues remain visible on the Human Rights Council’s agenda.
Timor-Leste: A Process Moving Forward
VIVAT is also actively accompanying the UPR process for Timor-Leste. This submission is progressing well, with local partners contributing valuable information while the Geneva office provides support in structuring the report, identifying priority concerns, and ensuring compliance with UPR technical standards.
Ireland: Collaboration Across the Network
VIVAT Ireland is also involved in Ireland’s UPR process through collaboration with VIVAT’s UN network in New York. Although the main coordination is not based in Geneva, this reflects the growing strength of VIVAT’s global advocacy network and our shared commitment to human rights engagement across regions.
Capacity-Building for Greater Visibility
To strengthen VIVAT’s relevance and visibility within UN spaces, a capacity-building workshop is being organized on 30 May under the working title:
“Even Greater Relevance and Visibility for Our NGO in a Big Space”
The main resource person will be Mr. Nader Duqmaq, Donor Officer at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The workshop will focus on helping faith-based NGOs like VIVAT position themselves more effectively in UN forums by exploring:
- Strategies for building visibility and credibility with member states, UN agencies, and civil society partners
- Practical ways to engage donors and strategic partners
- Approaches for aligning projects and advocacy work with UN priorities
A flyer and concept note will be circulated soon so that contact persons and national groups can invite relevant participants.
Advocacy Begins at the Grassroots
Geneva advocacy begins in the local communities where our members live and serve. For the UPR and other human rights mechanisms to truly reflect VIVAT’s mission, the Geneva office relies on a steady, well-structured flow of information from the field.
The Geneva office is ready to support, but it cannot replace local initiative.
Effective engagement requires:
- Clear identification of countries and issues VIVAT wants to prioritize
- A committed local or national group willing to engage in the UPR process
- Ongoing collaboration to understand timelines, receive guidance, and refine reports to UN standards
When a national group expresses interest in a country’s UPR, I provide timelines, templates, examples of previous submissions, and online guidance sessions, as was done for PNG and Timor-Leste. I also help edit and consolidate reports before final submission to ensure clarity, credibility, and compliance with UN requirements.
Where there is commitment and organized local effort, strong and impactful advocacy becomes possible. Where collaboration is missing, important opportunities at the UN level can easily be lost.
Looking Ahead
The experiences of recent months confirm that UPR processes are powerful tools for connecting local justice work with global human rights standards.
Real impact requires early preparation, strong communication, and a clear division of roles between local actors and the Geneva office. Capacity-building initiatives such as the 30 May workshop are essential for deepening our understanding of UN mechanisms, strengthening VIVAT’s institutional presence, and helping members engage more confidently and strategically.
I encourage all VIVAT members, especially contact persons and JPIC coordinators, to continue sending concerns, case documentation, and thematic priorities from their countries to the Geneva desk. These local realities are the foundation for strong advocacy at the Human Rights Council and beyond.
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