Human Rights
Human rights components in peace operations try to achieve a fairly quick improvement and stabilization of the human rights situation and to lay the foundations for long-term human rights protection in the host country. Projects in this area enhance the general awareness of and respect for human rights, ensuring an adaptation of national laws to international human rights standards as well as promoting respect for human rights within the local legal system. Human rights experts in peace operations furthermore contribute towards strengthening local institutions and civil society organizations concerned with the protection and promotion of human rights.
Instruments in human rights work include monitoring, fact-finding and reporting, human rights education, and measures of enhancing human rights protection within the legal system. International civilian personnel may work in areas such as protection of minority rights, war crimes and crimes against humanity, criminal justice and penal system, combating trafficking as well as property rights.
Human rights work is closely connected with rule of law, refugees, and reconciliation.
Tasks and Functions
- Monitoring, fact-finding, and investigation of human rights violations
- Reporting and documenting human rights violations
- Implementing programs of human rights education, promoting public awareness on human rights issues
- Training of state actors and civil society
- Supporting national and local human rights organizations and institutions
- Supporting minority rights protection
- Providing advice on issues concerning war crimes and crimes against humanity
- Advising the local legal system on drafting legislation
- Combating human trafficking
- Advising national authorities on questions of private property
updated September 2009