Written by Maya Kelly, a Strategic Communications Consultant and Social Media Coordinator for the UN Department of Peace Operations. She has a background in media, communications, technoculture, and education policy.
Human rights are universal. They are common threads that bind us together, and that foster respect, peace and stability. By protecting human rights, we protect ourselves and our future.
UN peacekeeping works with communities, partners and host governments to promote these rights. It is a fundamental part of our efforts to reduce global conflict.
Mobile courts in South Sudan
In South Sudan, the peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) has partnered with the national judiciary to build mobile courts. These courts can travel around the country, helping to uphold rights and bring justice to people in remote, often conflict-affected areas. Earlier this year a mobile court was able to hear 45 criminal cases and appeals in the community of Koch in the country’s north - all in just 25 days. This resulted in nine convictions, including two for sexual and gender-based violence, and the release of 25 inmates who were found to have been unjustly imprisoned.
Human rights forum in the Central African Republic
The peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) worked with civil society actors to set up a human rights forum in Bakala, a small community in the country’s centre. The forum brings together community members and local authorities to promote human rights, prevent violations and abuses, raise awareness, and encourage action. Forum members have been trained on the fundamentals of human rights and on the violations that are regularly reported in Bakala so they can help better prevent and respond to them.
Masters in Human Rights in Kosovo*
Pristina University established a Master’s Studies Programme in Human Rights, with support from the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). The first cohort of 41 students graduated from this Master’s programme in October 2024. They will be able to serve as strong human rights advocates for all those in vulnerable situations.
Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a cause of grave concern. In 2008, the peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) and OHCHR/DRC came together to establish the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO). UNJHRO monitors human rights violations, helps victims to seek and obtain justice, and builds national capacity to respond to these violations. UNJHRO also works with State officials, lobbying for the adoption of laws and policies that comply with international human rights standards to help bring perpetrators to justice.
Electoral support in the Central African Republic
Participating in political processes is a human right. Peacekeeping missions help create safe spaces for dialogue, facilitate reconciliation and peacebuilding, and support free, fair, and inclusive democratic processes, including elections.
In the Central African Republic, the peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) is providing operational, logistical, security and technical support for upcoming local elections. In June 2024, MINUSCA and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed a financial agreement of over $1 million USD to support the preparations, including voter registration. Following recent incidents that saw armed groups forcing 11 voter registration centers to close, the mission has increased its patrols to help prevent violence against voters and elections officials.
Why it matters
Around the world, military, police and civilian peacekeepers contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights. By empowering local populations to assert and claim these liberties and by working with state and national institutions to implement their human rights obligations and uphold the rule of law UN peacekeeping helps create a fairer, safer and more peaceful world.
*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).