Human Rights

Contents

Introduction

The Charter of the United Nations and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The Core International Human Rights Instruments (Treaties) and The Treaty Bodies

Universal Human Rights Instruments -by Category

Disability Discrimination Laws - by Country

Resource Materials/Publications - General; Disability; Women with Disabilities; Women

Introduction

'Human rights' refers to the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law. Human rights are the foundation of human existence and coexistence. They are universal, indivisible and interdependent. Human rights are recognised as fundamental by the United Nations and, as such, feature prominently in the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations: "... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small...". The United Nations is the only international entity with jurisdiction for universal human rights legislation. Where it has been adopted, legislation commonly contains:

The Charter of the United Nations and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. The pursuit of human rights was a central reason for creating the UN. It was founded in 1945 and began with fifty countries signing the United Nations Charter. As of 2007, there are 192 United Nations member states, encompassing almost every recognized independent state. The UN Charter obliges all member nations to promote "universal respect for, and observance of, human rights" and to take "joint and separate action" to that end. The Charter consists of a preamble and a series of articles divided into chapters. It includes: purposes of the United Nations; criteria for membership; the organs and institutions of the UN; arrangements for integrating the UN with established international law; and the enforcement powers of UN bodies.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an advisory declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/217, 10 December 1948 at Palais de Chaillot, Paris). It consists of a Preamble and 30 articles setting forth the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which all men and women, everywhere in the world, are entitled, without any discrimination.

The Charter of the United Nations [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Core International Human Rights Instruments (Treaties) and The Treaty Bodies

There are nine core international human rights treaties. The United Nations human rights treaties are at the core of the international system for the promotion and protection of human rights. Each of these treaties has established a committee of experts (the treaty bodies) to monitor implementation of the treaty provisions by its States parties. Some of the treaties are supplemented by optional protocols dealing with specific concerns. An Optional Protocol to a treaty is an instrument that establishes additional rights and obligations to a treaty.

1. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) is a United Nations convention adopted and opened for signature and ratification by United Nations General Assembly resolution 2106 (XX) December 21, 1965, and which entered into force January 4, 1969.

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [Word Version] [PDF Version]

2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is a United Nations treaty based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, created in 1966 and entered into force on 23 March 1976. The Covenant contains two Optional Protocols. The first optional protocol creates an individual complaints mechanism whereby individuals in member States can submit complaints, known as communications, to be reviewed by the Human Rights Committee. Its rulings under the first optional protocol have created the most complex jurisprudence in the UN international human rights law system. The second optional protocol abolishes the death penalty.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [Word Version] [PDF Version]

3. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and in force from January 3, 1976. It commits the states parties to work toward the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to individuals.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is an international convention adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an international bill of rights for women, it came into force on 3 September 1981. The Convention defines discrimination against women in the following terms: 'Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.' It also establishes an agenda of action for putting an end to sex-based discrimination: States ratifying the Convention are required to enshrine male/female equality into their domestic legislation, repeal all discriminatory provisions in their laws, and enact new provisions to guard against discrimination against women. They must also establish tribunals and public institutions to guarantee women effective protection against discrimination, and take steps to eliminate all forms of discrimination practised against women by individuals, organizations, and enterprises. In 1999, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Optional Protocol of CEDAW. The Protocol includes a procedure through which individual women or groups can denounce national violations of CEDAW directly to CEDAW's committee of experts.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

5. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is an international human rights instrument, under the purview of the United Nations, that aims to prevent torture around the world. The Convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture within their borders, and forbids states to return people to their home country if there is reason to believe they will be tortured. The text of the Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1984 and, following ratification by the 20th state party, it came into force on 26 June 1987. The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2002 and in force since 22 June 2006, provides for the establishment of a system of regular visits undertaken by independent international and national bodies to places where people are deprived of their liberty, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

6. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, often referred to as "CRC", is an international convention setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children. The United Nations General Assembly agreed to adopt the Convention into international law on November 20, 1989; it came into force on September 2, 1990, after it was ratified by the required number of nations. The Convention generally defines a child as any person under the age of 18, unless an earlier age of majority is recognized by a country's law. The Convention has two Optional Protocols, adopted by the General Assembly in May 2000 and applicable to those states that have signed and ratified them.

Convention on the Rights of the Child [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography [Word Version] [PDF Version]

7. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW)
The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families entered into force on July 1, 2003. The Convention constitutes a comprehensive international treaty regarding the protection of migrant workers' rights. It emphasizes the connection between migration and human rights. Its existence sets a moral standard, and serves as a guide and stimulus for the promotion of migrant rights in each country.

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families [Word Version] [PDF Version]

8. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (not yet into force)
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance is an international human rights instrument of the United Nations and intended to prevent forced disappearance. The text was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 December 2006 and opened for signature on 6 February 2007. It will come into force when ratified by 20 states-parties.

International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance [Word Version] [PDF Version]

9. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and was opened for signature on 30 March 2007. It entered into force on 3 May 2008. The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorisation of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their rights and areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced. The Optional Protocol allows the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of individuals or groups of individuals subject to its jurisdiction who claim to be victims of a violation by that State Party of the provisions of the Convention.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Treaty Bodies

The United Nations human rights treaties are associated with the task of monitoring the implementation of treaty obligations. The treaty bodies are composed of members who are elected by the states parties to each treaty (or through the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in the case of CESCR). In principle, treaty members are elected as experts who are to perform their functions in an independent capacity. Meeting periodically throughout the year, the treaty bodies perform a number of functions in accordance with the provisions of the treaties that created them. These include:

They also publish general comments on the treaties and organize discussions on related themes.

Consideration of State parties' reports
When a country ratifies one of these treaties, it assumes a legal obligation to implement the rights recognized in that treaty. But signing up is only the first step, because recognition of rights on paper is not sufficient to guarantee that they will be enjoyed in practice. So the country incurs an additional obligation to submit regular reports to the monitoring committee set up under that treaty on how the rights are being implemented. This system of human rights monitoring is common to most of the UN human rights treaties. To meet their reporting obligation, States must report submit an initial report usually one year after joining (two years in the case of the CRC) and then periodically in accordance with the provisions of the treaty (usually every four or five years). In addition to the government report, the treaty bodies may receive information on a country's human rights situation from other sources, including non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, other intergovernmental organizations, academic institutions and the press. In the light of all the information available, the Committee examines the report together with government representatives. Based on this dialogue, the Committee publishes its concerns and recommendations, referred to as "concluding observations".

Consideration of individual complaints or communications
In addition to the reporting procedure, some of the treaty bodies may perform additional monitoring functions through three other mechanisms: the inquiry procedure, the examination of inter-state complaints and the examination of individual complaints. Four of the Committees (HRC, CERD, CAT and CEDAW) can, under certain conditions, receive petitions from individuals who claim that their rights under the treaties have been violated:

Any individual who claims that her or his rights have under the covenant or convention have been violated by a State party to that treaty may bring a communication before the relevant committee, provided that the State has recognized the competence of the committee to receive such complaints. Complaints may also be brought by third parties on behalf of individuals provided they have given their written consent or where they are incapable of giving such consent.

General Comments
The Committees also publish their interpretation of the content of human rights provisions, known as general comments on thematic issues or methods of work. General comments often seek to clarify the reporting duties of State parties with respect to certain provisions and suggest approaches to implementing treaty provisions. In the case of CEDAW and CERD, general comments are referred to as "general recommendations".

Meeting of chairpersons and inter-committee meeting
The treaty bodies coordinate their activities through the annual meeting of chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies and through the inter-committee meeting. The treaty bodies are continually seeking ways to enhance their effectiveness through streamlining and harmonization of working methods and practices.

Universal Human Rights Instruments

In addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the nine core human rights treaties, there are many other universal instruments relating to human rights. Some of these are provided below. The legal status of these instruments varies: declarations, principles, guidelines, standard rules and recommendations have no binding legal effect, but such instruments have an undeniable moral force and provide practical guidance to States in their conduct; covenants, statutes, protocols and conventions are legally-binding for those States that ratify or accede to them.

The Rights of Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention on the Political Rights of Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Maternity Protection Convention [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention on the Nationality of Married Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Rights of People with Disabilities

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Principles for the protection of persons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health care [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention C159 [Word Version] [PDF Version]

World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Tallinn Guidelines for Action on Human Resources Development in the Field of Disability [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Rights of the Child

Convention on the Rights of the Child [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration of the Rights of the Child [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Rights of Older Persons

United Nations Principles for Older Persons [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Rights of Indigenous Peoples & Minorities

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Prevention of Discrimination

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [Word Version] [PDF Version]

United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention against Discrimination in Education [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol Instituting a Conciliation and Good Offices Commission to be responsible for seeking a settlement of any disputes which may arise between States Parties to the Convention against Discrimination in Education [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief [Word Version] [PDF Version]

International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid [Word Version] [PDF Version]

International Convention against Apartheid in Sports [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on Fundamental Principles concerning the Contribution of the Mass Media to Strengthening Peace and International Understanding, to the Promotion of Human Rights and to Countering Racialism, Apartheid and Incitement to War [Word Version] [PDF Version]

World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban Declaration and Programme of Action) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Rights of Migrants

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Social Welfare, Progress & Development

Declaration on Social Progress and Development [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Right to Development [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Guidelines for the Regulation of Computerized Personal Data Files [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Freedom of Association

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Worker's Representatives Convention Convention (No. 135) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Labour Relations (Public Service) Convention (No. 151) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Right to Work and Fair Conditions of Employment

Employment Policy Convention [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 187) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention concerning Employment Promotion and Protection against Unemployment (No. 168) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Maternity Protection Convention [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Marriage, Family & Youth

Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Recommendation on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding between Peoples [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Right to Health

Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Nationality, statelessness, asylum and refugees

Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention relating to the Status of Refugees [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Human Rights of Individuals Who are not Nationals of the Country in which They Live [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention on the Nationality of Married Women [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on Territorial Asylum [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Slavery, Slavery-Like Practices and Forced Labour

Slavery Convention [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol amending the Slavery Convention signed at Geneva on 25 September 1926 [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Principles relating to the status of national institutions (The Paris Principles) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Freedom of Information

Convention on the International Right of Correction [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Right to enjoy culture, international cultural development and co-operation

Declaration of the Principles of International Cultural Co-operation [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Recommendation concerning Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Human rights in the administration of justice

Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Principles on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors [Word Version] [PDF Version]

United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (The Tokyo Rules) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Model Treaty on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Model Treaty on the Transfer of Supervision of Offenders Who Have Been Conditionally Sentenced or Conditionally Released [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Right of Self-Determination

United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples [Word Version] [PDF Version]

General Assembly resolution 1803 (XVII) of 14 December 1962, "Permanent sovereignty over natural resources" [Word Version] [PDF Version]

International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries [Word Version] [PDF Version]

War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity, Including Genocide

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Principles of international co-operation in the detection, arrest, extradition and punishment of persons guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Statute of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Statute of the International Tribunal for Rwanda [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Humanitarian Law

Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea [Word Version] [PDF Version]

World Conference on Human Rights and Millennium Assembly

Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action [Word Version] [PDF Version]

United Nations Millennium Declaration [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Proclamation of Teheran [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Disability Discrimination Laws by Country

An online collection of disability discrimination laws from around the world is freely available on the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) Website. The site lists more than 40 countries who have enacted anti-discrimination laws relating to people with disabilities. Most of the laws are given in full but some entries have just the sections relevant to disability discrimination. Translations (sometimes in the form of summaries) are given for non-English materials along with a source for the translation. The site also provides a list of sources for the various laws.

Go to: http://www.dredf.org/international/lawindex.shtml

Resource Materials/Publications

Human Rights - General

Working with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: A Handbook for NGO's (2006) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Human Rights Based Programming: What it is, how to do it (UNFPA 2006) [PDF Version Only]

Human Rights: A Handbook For Parliamentarians (2005) [PDF Version Only]

Rights into Action: UNFPA Implements Human Rights Based Approach (2005) [PDF Version Only]

Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: A Manual for Prevention (2005) [PDF Version Only]

Australia's National Action Plan on Human Rights (2004) [PDF Version Only]

Handbook on National Human Rights Plans of Action (2002) [PDF Version Only]

The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: A Guide for NGOs (2001) [PDF Version Only]

The United Nations Human Rights Treaty System: An introduction to the core human rights treaties and the treaty bodies [PDF Version Only]

United Nations Treaty Collection: Treaty Reference Guide (1999) [PDF Version Only]

Women with Disabilities & Human Rights

Disabled Peoples International: Gendering the Draft Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities - by Dr. Sigrid Arnade and Sabine Haefner (2006) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Final Report of the UN ESCAP Workshop on Women and Disability: Promoting Full Participation of Women with Disabilities in the Process of Elaboration on an International Convention to Promote and Protect the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (Bangkok 2003) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Issues in gender-sensitive and disability-responsive policy research, training and action - Paper by Margaret Snyder (1999) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

International Leadership Forum for Women with Disabilities: Final Report (1998) [Word Version Only]

Women with Disabilities: Lessons of Reinforcing the Gender Perspective in International Norms and Standards. By Maria-Cristina Sará-Serrano Mathiason (1997) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Disabled Women: An International Resource Kit - By Disability Awareness in Action (1997) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons: Action Targets Gender Dimensions (1996) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Hidden Sisters: Women and Girls with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region (1995) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Report on the Seminar of Disabled Women (Vienna 1990) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Disability and Human Rights

We Have Human Rights: A human rights handbook for people with developmental disabilities (2008) [PDF Version]

Child-Friendly Text: UN Disability Convention (2007) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - A plain English guide (2007) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Human Rights. YES! Action and Advocacy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007) [PDF Version]

From Exclusion to Equality: Realizing the rights of persons with disabilities. Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol (2007) [PDF Version]

Promoting the Ratification and Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia - Papers developed by the Australian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (2007) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Report to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission on the Workshop on Promoting the Ratification and Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia (2007) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on progress in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the study on the human rights of persons with disabilities (2005) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons: realizing the Millennium Development Goals for persons with disabilities (2005) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (2005) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

International Disability Rights Compendium (2003) [PDF Version Only]

International Norms and Standards Relating to Disability (2003) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Human Rights and Disability: The current use and future potential of United Nations human rights instruments in the context of disability (United Nations) (2002) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Pathfinders: Towards Full Participation and Equality of Persons with Disabilities in the ESCAP Region Social Policy Paper No. 2 (2001) [PDF Version Only]

Disability Watch Vol. 2: The Status of People with Disabilities in America (2001) [PDF Version Only]

Disability rights and human rights: plunging into the 'mainstream'? - Paper by Andrew Byrnes (2001) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Forgotten Crimes: The Holocaust and People with Disabilities (2001) [PDF Version Only]

Invisible and Neglected: Status of the Human Rights of People with Disabilities in Central Europe (2001) [PDF Version Only]

Self-Help Organizations of Disabled Persons (1991) [PDF Version Only]

Tallinn Guidelines for Action on Human Resources Development in the Field of Disability (1989) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons (1982) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

Women and Human Rights

United Nations In-Depth Study on All Forms of Violence Against Women: Report of the Secretary-General (2006) [PDF Version Only]

Passport to Equality: CEDAW (UNESCO 2006)[PDF Version Only]

Agreed Conclusions of the Commission on the Status of Women on the Critical Areas of Concern of the Beijing Platform for Action 1996-2005 (UN 2006)[PDF Version Only]

Ending Violence Against Women: Programming for Prevention, Protection & Care (UNFPA 2006)[PDF Version Only]

State of World Population 2006: A Passage to Hope - Women and International Migration (UNFPA 2006) [PDF Version Only]

The World's Women 2005: Progress in Statistics (UN 2006)[PDF Version Only]

Beijing at Ten: UNFPA's Commitment to the Platform for Action (2005)[PDF Version Only]

CEDAW Made Easy: Question and Answer Booklet (UNIFEM 2004)[PDF Version Only]

Gender Mainstreaming: Can it work for women's rights? (AWID 2004)[PDF Version Only]

Ways & Means: An Advocacy Guide for Feminists (AWID 2003)[PDF Version Only]

Producing NGO Shadow Reports to CEDAW: A Procedural Guide (IWRAW 2003) [Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol: Handbook for Parliamentarians (2003)[PDF Version Only]

CEDAW & The Optional Protocol: Facts & Issues (AWID 2002)[PDF Version Only]

International Networking for Women's Human Rights (2001)[PDF Version Only]

Women's Human Rights: An Introduction (Bunch & Frost 2000)[Word Version] [PDF Version]

The Human Rights Watch Global Report on Women's Human Rights (1995)[PDF Version Only]

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This site was developed by Carolyn Frohmader for Women With Disabilities Australia.