Documenting human rights conditions in various countries is an important part in upholding human rights internationally.
Since 1956, and the passing of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution (UN ECOSOC Res 624 [XXII] [1 August 1956] ESCOR 22nd session Supp 1, 12), states are under a duty to report their compliance with human rights.
Initially the requirement was one report every three years on the human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 with the addition of the right to self-determination.
The current system (instigated in 1965) divides rights into three categories - civil and political, economic,social and cultural, freedom of information. Countries are expected to report annually taking each category in turn.
The Human Rights in the World page from the UN lists all member state countries with links through to the reports.
Many other organisations provide reports on either countries within its membership or in the case of NGOs like Amnesty International countries that are known to have poor or developing human rights. A list of organisations that have country reports are in the right hand box.
Many other organisations provide reports on either countries within their own membership or in the case of NGOs like Amnesty International countries that are known to have poor or developing human rights. Below are links to some major examples.
Other pages in this guide help with the regional IHR regimes:
If you are also interested in the protection of civil rights under constitutional law
If you are also interested in other aspects of the domestic law of a country: