Public Reporting on Human Rights by United Nations Peace Operations: Good Practices, Lessons Learned and Challenges

Abstract

The United Nations Policy on Human Rights in Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions requires all peace operations with a human rights mandate to report publicly and routinely on the human rights situation in the host country as part of the larger effort to ensure that the United Nations system takes early and effective action to protect human rights. Despite the essential function and value of public reporting, differences exist in how, and how often, peace operations report.

OHCHR, DPA and DPKO jointly conducted this study to identify lessons learned and good practices that can enhance the impact and regularity of public reporting by all peace operations. The report, which is based on case studies from MONUSCO, UNAMA and UNAMI, seeks to explain: (i) what value public reporting provides to missions; (ii) why some missions report more often than others; and (iii) how the positive impact of reporting can be maximised.