Human rights are recognized 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 Organization's prominent role in this area is carried out by a number of human rights bodies (described below), some of which date back to the very foundation of the United Nations.

As an indication of the expanding significance of this vast field, in 1993 the General Assembly created the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR: http://www.unhchr.ch/). An overview of the activities undertaken by the High Commissioner can be obtained from the annual report which is issued as Supplement No. 36 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (e.g., A/57/36). A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database. The Office of the High Commissioner also administers the communications/complaints procedures available under the various human rights bodies. Statements made by the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

When researching human rights issues, a distinction has to be made between Charter-based and treaty-based human rights bodies. The former derive their establishment from provisions contained in the Charter of the United Nations, hold broad human rights mandates, address an unlimited audience and take action based on majority voting. The latter derive their existence from provisions contained in a specific legal instrument (i.e., the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), hold more narrow mandates (i.e., the set of issues codified in the legal instrument involved), address a limited audience (i.e., only those countries that have ratified the legal instrument in question) and base their decision-making on consensus. Reflecting this division, the human rights documentation posted on the website of the High Commissioner is organized into two databases.

Commission on Human Rights

The Commission on Human Rights was established by ECOSOC resolution 5 (I) of 16 February 1946. The Commission meets in annual and, if required, special sessions and reports to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol E/CN.4/-. The full text of recent documents can be retrieved from the Charter-based bodies database (http://www.unhchr.ch/data.htm).
  

• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol E/CN.4/[year]/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., E/CN.4/1997/SR.52: Summary record of the 52nd meeting of the 53rd session on 9 April 1997). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved from the Charter-based bodies database.
  

• The sessional reports carry a double symbol (series E/- and E/CN.4/-) and are published as Supplements to the Official Records of the Economic and Social Council (e.g., E/2002/23-E/CN.4/2002/200). They provide summaries of the work concluded and contain the texts of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission (resolutions and decisions are not released as separate documents in paper format but may be retrieved as individual items through the Charter-based bodies database). A complete listing of the sessional reports (1947 onwards) can be found in the UN-I-QUE database.
  

• UN Headquarters press releases for the Commission, issued under the series symbol HR/CN/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre. Press releases from the Office of the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

The Commission has established extra-conventional mechanisms: special rapporteurs, representatives or experts and working groups that investigate, discuss and report on specific human rights issues under a country mandate or thematic mandate. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions). The full text of recent reports can be retrieved from the Charter-based bodies database.

Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights was established by the Commission on Human Rights under the authority of ECOSOC resolution 9 (II) of 21 June 1946. The name was changed from Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities by ECOSOC decision 1999/256 of 27 July 1999. The Subcommission meets in annual sessions and reports to the Commission on Human Rights.

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol E/CN.4/Sub.2/-. The full text of recent documents can be retrieved from the Charter-based bodies database.
  

• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol E/CN.4/Sub.2/[year]/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., E/CN.4/Sub.2/2001/SR.4: Summary record of the 4th meeting of the 53rd session on 1 August 2001).
  

• The sessional reports carry a double symbol (series E/CN.4/- and E/CN.4/Sub.2/-; e.g., E/CN.4/2003/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/2002/46). They provide summaries of the work concluded and contain the text of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Subcommission (resolutions and decisions are not released as separate documents in paper format but may be retrieved as individual items through the Charter-based bodies database). A complete listing of these reports (1949 onwards) can be found in the UN-I-QUE database.
  

• UN Headquarters press releases for the Subcommission, issued under the series symbol HR/CN/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre. Press releases from the Office of the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

Reports are also presented to the Subcommission by working groups and special rapporteurs. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports on contemporary forms of slavery). The full text of recent reports can be retrieved from the Charter-based bodies database.

Committee against Torture

The Committee against Torture was established pursuant to Article 17 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to supervise the implementation of the Convention. The current status of the Convention is posted on the website of the High Commissioner. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol CAT/C/-. The full text of recent documents can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CAT/C/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., CAT/C/SR.382: Summary record of the 382nd meeting on 7 May 1999). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 44 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (e.g., A/57/44). A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database. The full text of recent reports can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre. Press releases from the Office of the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

States Parties to the Convention are required by Article 19 to submit an initial report on the measures taken to give effect to their undertakings under the Convention within one year after its entry into force for the State Party concerned and thereafter every four years. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports submitted by Canada). The full text of recent reports as well as report preparation guidelines can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was established by ECOSOC resolution 1985/17 to supervise the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights but functions like a treaty body. The current status of the Covenant is posted on the website of the High Commissioner. The Committee currently meets in three sessions each year in Geneva.

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol E/C.12/-. The full text of recent documents can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol E/C.12/[year]/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., E/C.12/1999/SR.37: Summary record of the 37th meeting of the 21st session on 19 November 1999). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• The sessional reports carry a double symbol (E/- and E/C.12/-) and are issued as Supplements to the Official Records of the Economic and Social Council (e.g., E/2002/22-E/C.12/2001/17). A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database.
  
  
• UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre. Press releases from the Office of the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

States Parties to the Covenant are required by ECOSOC resolution 1988/4 to submit an initial report on the measures they have adopted and the progress made in achieving the observance of the rights recognized within the Covenant within two years of its entry into force for the State Party concerned and thereafter every five years. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports submitted by Denmark). The full text of recent reports as well as report preparation guidelines can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was established pursuant to Article 17 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to supervise the implementation of the Convention. The current status of the Convention is posted on the website of the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW). The Committee meets in two sessions each year in New York.

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol CEDAW/C/-. The full text of recent documents is available on the DAW website and can also be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CEDAW/C/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., CEDAW/C/SR.307: Summary record of the 307th meeting on 1 February 1996). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 38 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (e.g., A/57/38). A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database. The reports are also issued cumulatively in the series The Work of CEDAW. The full text of recent reports is available on the DAW website and can also be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Press releases, issued under the series symbol WOM/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre and can also be retrieved from the DAW website.

States Parties to the Convention are required by Article 18 to submit an initial report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which they have adopted and which give effect to the provisions of the Convention within one year after its entry into force for the State Party concerned and thereafter every four years. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports submitted by Costa Rica). The full text of recent reports as well as report preparation guidelines can be retrieved from the DAW website and the Treaty body database.

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established pursuant to Article 8 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to supervise the implementation of the Convention. The current status of the Convention is posted on the website of the High Commissioner. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol CERD/C/-. The full text of recent documents can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CERD/C/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., CERD/C/SR.1346: Summary record of the 1346th meeting on 10 August 1999). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 18 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (e.g., A/57/18). A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database. The full text of recent reports can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol RD/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre. Press releases from the Office of the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

States Parties to the Convention are required by Article 9 to submit an initial report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which they have adopted and which give effect to the provisions of the Convention within one year after its entry into force for the State Party concerned and thereafter every two years. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports submitted by Botswana). The full text of recent reports as well as report preparation guidelines can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.

Committee on the Rights of the Child

The Committee on the Rights of the Child was established pursuant to Article 43 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to supervise the implementation of the Convention. The current status of the Convention is posted on the website of the High Commissioner. The Committee meets in three sessions each year in Geneva.

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol CRC/C/-. The full text of recent documents can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CRC/C/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., CRC/C/SR.391: Summary record of the 391st meeting on 2 June 1997). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Sessional reports of the Committee are issued under the series symbol CRC/C/- (e.g., CRC/C/118); conclusions and recommendations are published biennially as Supplement No. 41 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (e.g., A/57/41). A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database.
  
  
• UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre. Press releases from the Office of the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

States Parties to the Convention are required by Article 44 to submit an initial report on measures adopted which give effect to the rights recognized therein and on the progress made on the enjoyment of those rights within two years of its entry into force for the State Party concerned and thereafter every five years. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports submitted by Thailand). The full text of recent reports as well as report preparation guidelines can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.

Human Rights Committee

The Human Rights Committee was established pursuant to Article 28 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The current status of the Covenant is posted on the website of the High Commissioner. The Committee meets in three sessions each year in New York and Geneva.

• Working documents are issued under the series symbol CCPR/C/-. The full text of recent documents can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• Summary records of meetings are issued under the series symbol CCPR/C/SR.[meeting number] (e.g., CCPR/C/SR.1690: Summary record of the 1690th meeting on 24 July 1998). The full text of recent meeting records can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• The sessional reports are issued as Supplement No. 40 to the Official Records of the General Assembly (e.g., A/57/40, vol. I). A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database. The full text of recent reports can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.
  
  
• From 1977-1987, the Committee published a Yearbook; since 1987, this publication has been continued by the Official Records of the Human Rights Committee.
  
  
• UN Headquarters press releases for the Committee, issued under the series symbol HR/CT/-, are accessible through the search option at the UN News Centre. Press releases from the Office of the High Commissioner can be retrieved from the UNHCHR Newsroom.

States Parties to the Covenant are required by Article 40 to submit an initial report on the measures they have adopted which give effect to the rights recognized within the Covenant and on the progress made in the enjoyment of those rights within one year of its entry into force for the State Party concerned and thereafter every five years. A complete listing of these reports can be found in the UN-I-QUE database (e.g., reports submitted by Jordan). The full text of recent reports as well as report preparation guidelines can be retrieved from the Treaty body database.

The Committee also considers communications under the Optional Protocol received from individuals who assert that their rights (as enumerated in the Covenant) have been violated without domestic redress. The texts of the Committee's final decisions under the Protocol are included in its annual reports (e.g., A/57/40, vol. II), as well as periodically cumulated on a selective basis.

A more comprehensive listing of United Nations documents and publications on human rights issues can be identified through the UNBISnet database. Subject terms which might prove useful in conducting a search are: arbitrary detention; capital punishment; economic, social and cultural rights; genocide; human rights in armed conflicts; human rights violations; religious intolerance; right to development; right to food; right to peace; torture and other cruel treatment; war crimes; etc. Additional descriptors may be indentified through the UNBIS Thesaurus. Proper names (e.g., Declaration on a Culture of Peace; Expert Seminar on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty) may also be used for constructing subject searches.

Prepared and maintained by the Department of Public Information (DPI), Dag Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) . Comments as well as suggestions for further additions/enhancements may be directed to dhlunsa@un.org.

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