This part explores the institutional and procedural mechanisms for the international protection of human rights. It examines the various organizations, bodies, and mechanisms that play a role in monitoring, promoting, and enforcing human rights standards. The sections cover the universal human rights system established by the United Nations, including the roles and functions of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, and specialized human rights bodies such as the Human Rights Council and treaty-based bodies. It also examines regional human rights systems in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Arab-Muslim world, highlighting the specific institutions and mechanisms established by these regions to protect human rights. Additionally, this part delves into international human rights litigation, exploring the diversity of international complaints mechanisms, the conditions of admissibility, examination procedures, and enforcement of decisions. By providing a comprehensive overview of the institutional architecture and procedural mechanisms, this part illustrates the complexity and diversity of the international human rights protection system and the importance of coordinated efforts among different actors to address human rights violations effectively.

Chapter 9 synthesises the main findings of the study and gestures towards the implications of the research on a broader level as well as questions raised. It draws insights for advances in theories on human rights promotion in post-conflict societies, making the case for principled pragmatism: an approach predicated on contextual interpretation and application of standards whilst remaining true to human rights principles, and on the use of constructive and collaborative strategies and techniques in policy development and advocacy. The chapter presents lessons that can be learned from Rwanda: how children’s involvement in violent crimes can dramatically influence the perception of childhood, a factor which should be taken into account when seeking to promote child rights at the community level; whether the prosecution of children was preferable to non-prosecution; whether UNICEF was right to become involved with the issue of child perpetrators in Rwanda; and what approaches to child perpetrators UNICEF should be promoting, briefly exploring alternative modalities of accountability, including truth-seeking and indigenous justice and reconciliation mechanisms. Whilst affirming the role of UNICEF, it concludes by emphasising that ultimately it is the state that decides on accountability and that is responsible for implementation of, and compliance with, international standards.