Actors /
The Actors
OHCHR working in Nepal.
In the pursuit of global peace and security, protection of human rights and poverty reduction, the rule of law lies at the heart of the United Nations’ mission. Activities that strengthen and enhance the rule of law at the national and international levels are integral to fulfilling the purposes of the Organization. As the responsibilities and the demands on the Organization have continued to grow, UN engagement in rule of law has expanded in numerous ways over the years and today includes a wide range of actors.
Established in 2006, the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General and supported by the Rule of Law Unit, is responsible for the overall coordination of the UN’s rule of law work. The Group is comprised of nine UN entities (DPA, DPKO, OHCHR, OLA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNODC) each taking a lead in various aspects of the Organization’s rule of law work.
Many more UN entities and specialized agencies undertake rule of law activities of some kind at the national and/or international level. The Organization includes judicial mechanisms, such as the International Court of Justice and the ad hoc criminal tribunals and hybrid tribunals, and non-judicial mechanisms such as cross-border commissions and commissions of inquiry.
Important partners to the UN in its rule of law work include Member States, both those who receive assistance and those who provide resources for assistance as bilateral donors; other international and regional organizations; and non-governmental organizations, including academic and research institutes.