The Military Commander, Un Operations and Human Rights

The article addresses the role military commanders of UN Peacekeeping operations should play in cases of human rights violations taking place within their territorial jurisdiction. Its focus is upon human rights violations committed by warring parties, more specifically those violations of which the civilian population is the victim. The questions addressed include: Should these commanders be overseeing the observance of human rights? Is this their duty because of international law, because of the authority invested in them or because of their conscience? What does quot;overseeing the observance ofquot; entail in a practical sense?