Stanford University Libraries & Academic Information Resources
Human Rights Information from Government Sources
Jonsson Library of Government Documents
Guide to Government Publications Series
This guide provides an introduction to basic information sources
located in the Jonsson Library of Government Documents relating
to study of human rights issues worldwide.
- 1. AccessUN.
New Canaan, CT: Newsbank, 1966- .
- Electronic index to UN masthead documents, official records
and selected sales publications including journal articles published
since 1966. Permits searching across multi-year time span on various
subjects. Includes full text resolutions, selected meeting records,
and links to UN documents on the web. Allows searching by various
document numbers and for speeches by representatives of various
countries. Serves also as guide to the corresponding microfiche
collection shelved as Microfiche 959. The URL for the AccessUN
database is:
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/su_proxy_access_un.
- 2. Human Rights on CD-ROM New York: UN, 1995.
- Green Reference/International & Foreign Gov't Indexes Workstation
Full text of 95 international human rights instruments
and bibliographic records for UN documents in the human rights
area from 1980-1990
- 3.
UN Information Quest: UN-I-QUE.
- Index to speeches, statements in debates, resolutions, recurring reports and official records of the
United Nations maintained by the staff at the Dag Hammarskjold Library. Includes references to the
reports of all human rights special rapporteurs. The URL for UN-I-QUE is:
http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/unique/index.html.
- 4. UNBIS Plus on CD-ROM. Alexandria, Va. : Chadwick
Healey, Inc. 1979- . quarterly.
- Green Reference/International & Foreign Gov't Indexes Workstation
Comprehensive official index to United Nations documents
and publications. Includes full text of UN resolutions, voting
records, and agendas. Also includes index to non-UN books and
journal articles on various topics in international relations.
Covers 1979 to present.
- 5. Global Agenda: Issues before the...General Assembly
of the United Nations. Lanham, Md: UNA-USA, 1974-. Annual.
- JX4977 A1I79 Green Reference/Gov Docs Reference
- 6. Encyclopedia of Human Rights. New York: Taylor
& Francis in cooperation with UNCHR, 1991.
- JC571 E67 1991 General Reference
- 7.Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International
Agreements. Edmund Jan Osmanczyk. 2nd ed. New York: Taylor
and Francis, 1990.
- JX1977 O8213 1990 Green Reference/Gov Docs Reference
Useful encyclopedia of International Governmental Organization
related information, including definitions of key terms, biographies,
and the descriptions and selected texts of major international
treaties, conventions, and agreements.
- 8. United Nations Yearbook. New York: UN, 1946- .
Annual.
- JX1977 A37 U65 Green Reference/Gov Docs Reference
- 9.Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments.
Geneva: UN. Irregular .
- ST/HR/1/rev.5 (latest ed in Green Reference/Gov Docs International)
- 10.The United Nations and Human Rights, 1945-1995.
New York: UN Department of Public Information. 1996. United Nations
Blue Books Series, volume VII.
- Green Library, Intl-Docs DPI/1676
Over 100 human-rights related UN documents, including
the UN Charter, Statute of the International Court of Justice,
conventions, covenants, protocols, declarations, resolutions,
and much more.
- 11.Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Annual.
1962-
- Call number varies Government Documents
Annual State Department review of human rights practices
in foreign countries. The latest editions (1993- ) are available on the internet at the
Department of State Internet Site.
- 12.United Nations Action in the Field of Human Rights.
1994.
- ST/HR/2/Rev.4 Green Library/Gov Docs UN Reference
Comprehensive guide to UN and specialized UN agencies engaged in the monitoring of
human rights practices. Includes detailed review of existing human rights standards and instruments.
Also
includes a detailed subject index.
- 13. United Nations Reference Guide in the Field of Human Rights. 1993.
- ST/HR/6 Green Library/Gov Docs UN Reference
Guide to key UN documentary sources related to human rights.
- 14. Report of the Special Rapporteur/Special Representative/Independent...
Geneva: UN Commission on Human Rights. Irregular. 1982-
- Microfiche 959 Jonsson Library
Reports of persons authorized by the UN Commission on
Human Rights or the Secretary General to visit specific countries
in which "gross violations" of the standards set forth
in various United Nations human rights instruments have been alleged,
or to report on the state of compliance in general with regard
to particular topical/thematic areas (e.g.: violence against women;
extradjudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; right to freedom
of expression and opinion). Recent reports have included Cuba
(Document No.E/CN.4/1992), East Timor (Document No.E/CN.4/1994/61),
Iran (E/CN.4/1993/41), Iraq (E/CN.4/1993/45), and Yugoslavia (E/CN.4/1995/26/Add.1).
Annexes to reports frequently reproduce official government documents
related to human rights issues, and statistics on human rights
abuses from governmental and nongovernmental sources.
- 15. Report of the Commission on Human Rights. Geneva:
UN Commission on Human Rights. Annual. 1982-
- Government Documents. United Nations Economic and
Social Council Official Records (ESCOR). Supplement no.varies
Most of the reports published since 1993 are now available in full text on the internet at a site sponsored by
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The URL is:
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu4/chrrep.htm.
- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
- 16. Initial/Supplementary Reports of States Parties
Geneva: UN Committee Against Torture. Irregular. 1988-
- Government Documents Microfiche 959
Regular reports required by adherents to the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment describing measures taken in the reporting country
to ensure adherence to the terms of the Convention. Issued as
a part of the United Nations mimeographed/masthead document CAT/C
series
- 17. Report of the Committee Against Torture Geneva:
UN Committee Against Torture. Annual. 1988-
- Government Documents. UN General Assembly Official
Records (GAOR). Supplement no.44.
Many CAT state party reports, resolutions and other documents are available on the internet at the site
sponsored by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. The URL for these documents is
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf.
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW)
- 18. Initial/Periodic Reports of States Parties Geneva:
UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Irregular. 1982-
- Government Documents Microfiche 959
Regular reports required by adherents to the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
describing measures taken in the reporting country to ensure adherence
to the terms of the Convention. Issued as a part of the United
Nations mimeographed/masthead document CEDAW/C series.
- 19. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women. Geneva: UN Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination Against Women. Annual. 1982-
- Government Documents. UN General Assembly Official
Records (GAOR). Supplement no.38.
Many of the CEDAW annual reports, state party reports, resolutions and other documents are available on
the internet at the site sponsored by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. The URL for these
documents is
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf.
- 20. Initial/Periodic Reports of States Parties Geneva:
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Irregular. 1992-
- Government Documents Microfiche 959
Regular reports required by adherents to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child describing measures taken in the reporting
country to ensure adherence to the terms of the Convention. Issued
as a part of the United Nations mimeographed/masthead document
CRC/C series
- 21. Report of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Geneva: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Annual. 1992-
- Government Documents. UN General Assembly Official
Records (GAOR). Supplement no.41.
Many CRC state party reports, resolutions and other documents are available on the internet at the site
sponsored by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. The URL for these documents is
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf.
- 22. Initial/Periodic Reports of States Parties Geneva:
UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Irregular. 1970-
- Government Documents Microfiche 959
Regular reports required by adherents to the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
describing measures taken in the reporting country to ensure adherence
to the terms of the Convention. Issued as a part of the United
Nations mimeographed/masthead document CERC/C series
- 23. Report of the Committee on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination. Geneva: UN Committee on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Annual. 1970-
- Government Documents. UN General Assembly Official
Records (GAOR). Supplement no.18.
Many CERD state party reports, resolutions and other documents are available on the internet at the site
sponsored by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. The URL for these documents is
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf.
- 24. Initial/Periodic Reports of States Parties Geneva:
UN Human Rights Committee. Irregular. 1976-
- Government Documents Microfiche 959
Regular reports required by adherents to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights describing measures taken
in the reporting country to ensure adherence to the terms of the
Covenant. Issued as a part of the United Nations mimeographed/masthead
document CCPR/C series and as an addendum to the Official
Records of the Human Rights Committee
- 25. Report of the Human Rights Committee Geneva:
UN Human Rights Committee. Annual. 1976-
- Government Documents. UN General Assembly Official
Records (GAOR). Supplement no.40.
- 26. Official Records of the Human Rights Committee
Geneva: UN Human Rights Committee. 1985-
- Government Documents UN Collection CCPR/
Many CCPR state party reports, resolutions and other documents are available on the internet at the site
sponsored by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. The URL for these documents is
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf.
- 27. Initial/Periodic Reports of States Parties Geneva:
UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Irregular.
1976-
- Government Documents Microfiche 959
Regular reports required by adherents to the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights describing measures
taken in the reporting country to ensure adherence to the terms
of the Covenant. Issued as a part of the United Nations mimeographed/masthead
document E/ series. Document number varies (e.g., E/1986/4/Add.27;
E/1990/7/Add.15; etc.).
- 28. Report of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights Geneva: UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights.. Annual. 1976-
- Government Documents. UN Economic and Social Council
Official Records (ESCOR). Supplement no.varies.
Many CESCR state party reports, resolutions and other documents are available on the internet at the site
sponsored by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights. The URL for these documents is
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf.
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
The Inter-American human rights regime is centered on two institutions, the Inter-American Human
Rights Commission and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Basic documents
relating to the inter-American human rights regime can be found in the following reference:
- 29. Basic Documents Pertaining to Human Rights in the Inter-American System.
Washington, DC. 1992.
- Green Library, Int'l Docs OEA/Ser.L/V.II.82, doc.6,rev.1
The Inter-American Human Rights Commission is
composed of seven members, each elected in their individual capacity as an independent expert on human
rights by the membership of the Organization of American States (OAS). The Commission is in
Washington DC and hears individual complaints as well as issues reports on general human rights
situations in member states. It may also conduct on-site observations in particular countries with the
governments consents. The reports are issued in the printed publication below:
- 30. Report on the Situation of Human Rights in...
Washington, DC. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Irregular. 1962-
- Green Library (call no varies)
- Law Library (call number varies)
Report on developments in the human rights situation
in selected OAS countries prepared by the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights. Reports generally provide background information,
a discussion of the work of the Commission in the country, the
present human rights situation in the country, and recommendations.
Many documents of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights are available from its own web site
at
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/cases/commissn.htm
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights can refer cases to the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights. The Court was established in 1979 and is composed of seven individuals
chosen in their private capacity as experts in the field of human rights. The Court has powers to issue
decisions of both an advisory nature as well as in contentious cases. Many documents of the Inter-
American Court of Human Rights are available from its own web site at
http://corteidh-oea.nu.or.cr/ci/HOME_ING.HTM . Many are also available at the web site of the
University of Minnesota Human Rights Library,
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/iachr/iachr.html.
INTERNET SITES
- UN Documentation: Research Guide:
Special Topics-Human Rights
- UN Human Rights Documents: A
Guide to Country Specific Research,
by Penny Parker (August 10, 1996) [http://www.umn.edu/humanrts/bibliog/guide.htm]
- Human Rights Internet
[http://www.hri.ca/internet/index.shtml]
Thorough set of annotated links to human-rights related sites
on the world wide web, arranged by subject, organization, and
region/country.
- Project Diana
A joint project of four university libraries to create a digital
library centered on human rights issues, Project Diana has resulted
in the creation of online access to a large number of IGO documents
and bibliographies. The four sites include:
- UN Optical Disk System.
[http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/jonsson/SUA/unods.html]
UN online storage and retrieval system for official documents. Includes over 400,000 masthead documents and official records produced in New York and Geneva since 1993, as well as all resolutions and decisions produced by the principal organs since 1946. All documents are in page-image and Wordperfect formats. Sales publications are excluded in general.
- US State
Department Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices
[http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/hrp_reports_mainhp.html>]
ABOUT THIS PAGE
This page is created and edited Chuck Eckman. Please send
comments regarding its content to:
Chuck Eckman
Green Library, McDermott Suite
Stanford University Libraries
Stanford, CA 94305- 6004
Phone: (650) 723- 2982
E-Mail:ceckman@stanford.edu
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