This handbook examines ombuds institutions for the armed forces and their role in the promotion and protection of human rights as well as in the prevention of maladministration.

Developed in cooperation with the International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (ICOAF), the handbook compares and contrasts different institutional models to highlight their strengths and weaknesses, as well as seeking to support the development of relevant legal and institutional frameworks by bringing together a range of good practice on the functioning and establishment of such institutions.

The handbook is designed to be of use to well-established and newly formed institutions alike and contains key sections on:

• History Functions and Models;
• Complaints;
• Investigations; and
• Reporting and Recommendations.

For more information about ICOAF, visit www.icoaf.org For more on the subject of human rights protections within the armed forces, see DCAF's related "Compendium on Human Rights of Armed Forces Personnel"