This article examines how states positioned in the middle of the international status hierarchy behave in the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). While the UPR was established as a cooperative mechanism to move away from confrontational naming and shaming, in practice it has become a reputational arena where states strategically calibrate their engagement. I argue that mid-status states pursue a logic of status–visibility optimization: They maximize participation to enhance recognition but issue only moderate recommendations to minimize reputational risks. Using original data of UPR recommendations and statistical analyses, the study finds that mid-status states are the most active participants but the least severe critics. This pattern produces what is called “vanilla victories,” which is visible but cautious performance that enhances the state's standing without significantly advancing human rights. These findings contribute to debates on status-seeking and international human rights institutions and highlight the limitations of the UPR as a mechanism for substantive rights protection.
Policy implications
- Recognize and Harness Middle States as Norm Carriers: UN bodies and advocacy networks should formally acknowledge the constructive role middle states play in UPR diplomacy. Their consistent engagement makes them effective messengers of international human rights norms, especially when great powers are absent or disengaged.
- Encourage Substantive Critique Over Symbolic Participation: Middle States should be nudged via peer benchmarking or praise mechanisms to issue more specific and action-oriented recommendations. This could counter the tendency toward “vanilla victories” that maximize visibility but minimize impact.
- Develop Incentives for Moderate yet Impactful Leadership: Create UPR awards or visibility tools that celebrate middle powers that strike a balance between frequency and substance, reinforcing their desire for prestige through deeper engagement rather than mere presence.
- Support Capacity Building for Strategic Framing: Provide targeted training for middle-state diplomats on how to frame stronger human rights critiques without triggering political backlash, equipping them to act as effective yet careful norm promoters.
- Monitor Middle State Trends for Early Norm Shifts: Because of their position between status groups, middle states often reflect emerging patterns in global norm dynamics. UN human rights bodies should systematically track changes in their behavior to anticipate broader shifts in international human rights discourse.
Photo by Eva Bronzini