The Monitoring Function

Monitoring should aim to reinforce State responsibility to protect human rights — not to replace this responsibility. There are a number of basic principles of monitoring, which human rights officers performing monitoring functions should keep in mind and respect at all times. They are essential for the effective fulfilment of the monitoring mandate. Human rights officers should not only observe developments, collect information, and perceive patterns of conduct, but should identify problems, diagnose their causes, consider potential solutions, and assist in problem solving.