A Pakistani Hindu breaks down as others shout slogans during a protest against alleged human rights violations in Pakistan. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
OHCHR Regional Office for Europe
The mandate of the Regional Office for Europe is based on that of the High Commissioner as the principal UN official in charge of the promotion and protection of human rights. Through the integration of the UN’s human rights standards into EU-wide policies, legislation and implementation measures, the Regional Office aims to help address human rights challenges in Europe. It also seeks to ensure the integration of the UN’s human rights perspective in external EU policies and activities. To this end, the Office provides policy advocacy and advisory services and work with governments, parliaments, judicial and national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and the UN Team in Brussels. Key regional partners include the EU institutions based in Brussels (the Council, the Commission and the Parliament), the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in Vienna, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.