Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa

Profile

The UN Human Rights Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) is located in Lebanon and covers the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. As a convenor of regional dialogues on human rights issues, ROMENA-led activities involve government and civil society actors from the region. ROMENA's primary function is to advance human rights in the countries that it covers through monitoring, reporting and advocacy on the human rights situation, and through active engagement with governments, including the provision of technical assistance, in cooperation with the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre in Doha.

Guided by the six pillars of OHCHR's Management Plan 2018-2021, ROMENA focuses on the following thematic areas: increasing States engagement with the international human rights mechanisms; enhancing participation and protection of civic space, including the protection of freedoms of expression, association and assembly; preventing violations and supporting national protection mechanisms, including in situations of conflict and insecurity and post-conflict peace building; enhancing equality and countering discrimination with a focus on women, LGBTI persons, ethnic and religious groups, persons with disabilities as well as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; promoting accountability and combating impunity.

ROMENA provides advice to governments, civil society and rights-holders to promote a human rights-based approach by assessing the impact of laws, policies, programmes, national development plans, and advocating for the inclusion of those left behind in efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  ROMENA also promotes transparent and inclusive processes for participation and consultation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including through the provision of support to UN Country Teams and Resident Coordinator Offices.

UN Human Rights Focus Areas

Last reviewed: May 2021