UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Abstract

Although the objective of the UN peacekeeping missions is to protect civilians and prevent human rights violations, this has not always been the case. The effectiveness of the missions is determined by a multifaceted approach that includes compliance with international human rights law, comprehensive resource allocation, robust mandate implementation, and proactive engagement with local stakeholders. All are influenced by a combination of factors, including specific mandates, rules of engagement, troop composition, local political, social, and economic context, and the nature of the conflict.

Therefore, a comparative analysis of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) will provide how these factors operated in different mission contexts, contributing to the success or failure of the peacekeeping missions in upholding human rights standards and protecting civilians. This hypothesis aligns with the need to consider specific mission characteristics and local contexts when evaluating the impact of UN peacekeeping missions on human rights and civilian protection.