The objective of this essay is to explore the UN peacekeeping approach to human rights issues in light of the legal and political connection between promotion and protection of human rights and maintenance of international peace and security. To begin with, the evolution of peacekeeping vis-à-vis human rights will be examined from the first experiences of the UN missions in this field, mainly focused on the promotion of human rights, to the most recent ones where the protection of human rights is a fundamental component of their mandate.