Using International Human Rights Mechanisms and Procedures:
An Online Manual for Human Rights Defenders

Welcome to the Manual

Using the Manual


Welcome to Front Line's Online Manual for Human Rights Defenders

The aim of this manual is to help human rights defenders make more effective use of international human rights mechanisms and procedures.

On a right-by-right basis, the manual:

  • identifies the relevant universal and regional human rights mechanisms and procedures. The manual only includes mechanisms / procedures which can receive information and/or complaints directly from human rights defenders, and which have powers to react;
  • enables you to select the mechanisms and procedures which apply in the country in which you are interested;
  • provides guidance regarding the form in which information should be transmitted to the selected mechanisms and / or procedures;
  • provides online links and other information to enable you to contact the mechanisms and / or procedures which you select

Using the manual

The manual is designed to be used online, rather than as a printed document. If you follow the online links, you will be guided to the section of the manual which is of most relevance to you. It is a resource for all human rights defenders, including those who do not have a legal training. Consequently, wherever possible, ordinary language is used in place of legal terminology. If you are legally-trained, the many external links from the manual will lead you to the original legal texts which you may wish to consult.

To begin using the manual, just select one of the following ten fundamental rights, and let the links guide you to the information which you need:

The Right to Life

The Right to Freedom from Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

The Right to Liberty and Security

The Right to a Fair Trial

The Right to Freedom of Assembly and Association

The Right to Freedom of Expression

The Right to an Effective Remedy

The Right to Privacy

The Right to Asylum

The Right to Freedom from Discrimination