The root causes of political unrest in the region are closely related to the economic and social disparities that characterize many governance and social systems in the region.

The Regional Office will focus on national laws, policies and practices with a view to effectively combating discrimination, in particular, discrimination against religious, ethnic and national minorities, people with disabilities, migrants and women.

The Office will focus the identification and response to the impact of corruption on human rights, the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, the right to development, and the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. In addition to protection issues, due attention will be paid to human rights’ mainstreaming of humanitarian action, and injection of human rights concerns and accountability in debates around political settlements.