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The Ombudsman, Good Governance and the International Human Rights System pp 81–123Cite as

The Ombudsman: Domestic Protection and Promotion of International Human Rights

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Part of the book series: International Studies in Human Rights ((PROGRESS AUTO,volume 79))

Abstract

Both the classical and human rights ombudsman can be categorized as national human rights institutions, along with the human rights commission and specialized institutions. This Chapter will define national human rights institutions and examine the attention paid by major international organizations to the ombudsman and other national human rights institutions. In particular, the work of the UN and its Paris Principles will be explored. This Chapter will also describe how both classical and human rights ombudsmen can act as non-judicial domestic mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights, and how they can assist in the domestic application of the international human rights law obligations of the state. The role and approach of an institution will differ depending on whether it is a classical ombudsman or a hybrid office with both human rights complaint and ombudsman functions. The ability of each type of institution to implement or promote international human rights norms is dependent on a number of factors. Each ombudsman institution is unique in the extent of its human rights activities, based on the particular legal environment of the state in which the ombudsman office is located.1

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  1. This chapter is based on L.C. Reif, “Building Democratic Institutions: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions in Good Governance and Human Rights Protection” (2000) 13 Harvard H.R.J. 1 at 3-7, 9-13, 19-23.

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Reif, L.C. (2004). The Ombudsman: Domestic Protection and Promotion of International Human Rights. In: The Ombudsman, Good Governance and the International Human Rights System. International Studies in Human Rights, vol 79. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-5932-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-5932-8_4

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