National human rights commissions and Ombudsman institutions

This research project addresses complex institutional landscapes in developing countries, with a focus on activities and mandates of Ombudsman institutions and National Human Rights Commissions in West Africa.

Purpose

Human rights institutional landscapes in many countries are characterised by a multiplicity of state actors, including various independent institutions. West African countries constitute a case-in-point.

In line with the Danish Institute for Human Rights's (the Institute) research agenda on national human rights systems, and drawing on over 20 years of partnership with institutions in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, the research explores institutional landscapes by assessing the legal and empirical interactions between Ombudsman institutions and NHRIs in the three countries.

The difference we make

The research objective is to better understand the interactions between NHRIs and Ombudsman institutions in countries with limited resources and multiple human rights challenges. In West Africa, such institutions come in addition to other types of state actors – including human rights ministries and a multitude of observatories, councils, etc.

The research focus on three countries: Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. It relies on a documentary analysis, as well as interviews conducted in three countries. It also builds upon two months of research field work undertaken in Burkina Faso in 2016-2017.

In addition to analysing the legal mandates and the actual practice of the institutions, the research pays particular attention to their accessibility for rights-holders. Indeed, all institutions formally handle complaints and may also undertake own-motion activities that directly or indirectly contribute to human rights protection and promotion.

Partners

This research is conducted in liaison with the Danish Ombudsman Office.

On-site interviews were organised in cooperation with the Médiateur institutions and the Commissions Nationales des Droits de l’Homme in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in October 2019.