Mandate of Human Rights & Protection Section

In accordance with paragraph three of the Security Council Resolution, the mandate of the Human Rights and Protection Section (HRPS) is:

(l) to contribute towards international efforts to protect and promote human rights in Liberia, with particular attention to vulnerable groups including refugees, returning refugees and internally displaced persons, women, children, and demobilized child soldiers, within UNMIL's capabilities and under acceptable security conditions, in close cooperation with other United Nations agencies, related organizations, governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations;

(2)to ensure an adequate human rights presence, capacity and expertise within UNMIL to carry out human rights promotion, protection, and monitoring activities.

(3) HRPS is not mandated to investigate allegations of human rights abuses committed by UNMIL staff. All cases of serious misconduct by UN personnel, including all complaints involving sexual exploitation and abuse, are investigated by an independent mechanism, the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). OIOS has complete freedom of action and reports directly to UN Headquarters in New York. Therefore, cases involving alleged abuses by UN personnel are not covered in the reports produced herein.