31. The Role Of Unhcr In The Monitoring And Implementation Of Human Rights Standards For Refugees And Other Persons Of Concern

Abstract

The multifaceted linkages between refugee issues and human rights as well as the complementary nature of international refugee and human rights law govern the dimensions of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) engagement in monitoring and ensuring respect for the human rights of refugees and other persons of concern. Any exercise of UNHCRs specific international protection functions requires a clear understanding of whether the individual concerned is a refugee. UNHCRs direct monitoring of the situation of refugees and other persons of concern is primarily conducted through an internal annual non-public reporting mechanism. The many existing threats to the enjoyment of their rights by refugees and others of concern and the many imaginable complex human rights dilemmas UNHCR may face in its work will make the task of upholding the human rights of persons of concern an ongoing challenge. Keywords: human rights standards; international protection function; international refugee; UNHCR