INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS The Universal Periodic Review Do Civil Society Organization-Suggested Recommendations Matter? EDWARD MCMAHON et al. November 2013 n A central finding is the considerable extent to which official UPR state recommenda­tions do in fact reflect perspectives and themes contained in recommendations of Civil Society Organizations(CSO). n While these findings do not prove that CSO recommendations lead to related state recommendations, they do show that at least state recommendations encompass CSO recommendations to a significant extent. n More specifically, CSO(as well as state) recommendations concerning disabilities (representing economic, social and cultural rights) and freedom of expression(civil and political rights) reflect a much higher acceptance rate for the former. n A majority of these state recommendations, however, were framed in more general terms than those proposed by CSOs, thus allowing States under Review more discre­tion in terms of defining compliance. n In general, the research suggests that CSO engagement in the UPR process is worth­while and should be accentuated, especially in Asia. The high correlation between CSO and overall state recommendations supports the legitimacy of the UPR process.