Civil Rights

Den norske Helsingforskomite

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee is a member of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights and works to promote democracy and human rights within Europe. Its primary activites include the monitoring of parliamentary elections within the OSCE (Office for Security of Central Europe). The website includes the full-text of the Helsinki Committee's reports on parliamentary elections since 1995. These include reports from Albania, Romania, the former Yugoslavia and nations of the former Soviet Union. The text is available in Norwegian or English.

OutRight Action International

Founded in1990 to fill the gap between the international human rights movement and the gay rights movement, OutRight Action International (previously the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission) aims to advance the fundamental human rights of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people and people with HIV/AIDS. It combines traditional human rights techniques such as monitoring, documenting, advocating and public policy development with grassroots organising and supporting groups in developing countries.

Amnesty International

The webpage of Amnesty International (AI), an independent charitable organisation that plays a specific role in the international protection of human rights. The site has sections for campaigns, news releases, a complete listing of national and local AI groups, and the option to sign up for regular newsletters or RSS feeds. The Library gives access to a number of documents and reports, most available in full text online. There is also a special section for Media.

Statewatch database

Statewatch is a non-profit voluntary organisation which monitors the state and civil liberties in the UK and the rest of Europe. The Statewatch Database contains more than 25,000 records, including news, features, pamphlets, reports, legislation, EU resolutions and agreements, details of UK parliamentary debates and those of the European Parliament and reports on European Court of Human Rights cases. Material less than 6 months old can be accessed free of charge; older materials require a subscription.

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

This is the official website of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC). It provides information on the history, aims and current activities of the organisation. It includes free access to information about training courses, recent press releases and full-text reports. These cover all aspects of human rights and civil liberties in Afghanistan. Key areas include: womenãs rights, childrenãs rights, transitional justice and monitoring of human rights in prisons, detention centres, during elections.

Human Rights First

Human Rights First is an advocacy organization based in New York City and Washington, DC. Areas of concern include: international justice and the ICC, international humanitarian law, international refugee policy, campaigns against torture and support of refugees and asylum-seekers in the US. Its website provides information on the aims of the organisation and its activities. It includes news alerts, press releases and papers.

Kenya Human Rights Commission

The Kenya Human Rights Commission is a non-governmental body established in 1992 to monitor the state of democracy and human rights in Kenya. Its website provides information on the history, purpose and activities of the organisation. It includes access to recent press releases and details of programmes being undertaken. Topics covered include transitional justice, political corruption, the state of democracy in Kenya, human rights abuses and the conduct of elections and referendums.

Secret Intelligence Service

This is the official website of MI6, the secret intelligence service of the UK. It provides information on the history, purpose and activities of the SIS. This includes access to full text legislation and the Parliamentary, Ministerial, judicial and financial oversight governing the department. There is information on SIS's archive and records policy, details of careers and a glossary of terms.

Investigatory Powers Tribunal

Investigatory Powers Tribunal conducts investigations into complaints made by members of the British government under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. This includes surveillance, telephone tapping and interception of communications (bugging) by the Intelligence Services MI5, the Secret Intelligence Service (sometimes called MI6) and GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters). The website provides information on the purpose, statutory powers and activities of the Tribunal.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: US Department of State

These reports are compiled annually by the United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. They provide assessments of the current state of human rights as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This covers: individual, civil, political, and worker rights. Topics covered include: summary of human rights legislation, assessments of democracy and womens rights. Reports are available from 1999 onwards.

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