Operational since September 2008, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Regional Office for West Africa (OHCHR/BRAO) is the leading institution of the United Nations responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in West Africa. The Office is based in Dakar, Senegal.

OHCHR’s presence on the ground contributes in several ways to transform human rights into reality; they not only monitor the human rights situation in countries but they also assist in strengthening capacity of member states and other mandate holders to address human rights.