Civil Rights

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.

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) is a Council of Europe human rights body. Its mandate is to monitor the treatment of detainees and prisoners in its member nations in order to protect and promote their human rights. Its website provides information on the aims of the organisation, its operation and activities. It includes press releases, annual reports and reports on individual nations from 1989 to date.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent institution within the Council of Europe. Its website provides information on the Commissioner's work, including articles, reports, speeches and press releases. The reports include annual surveys of human rights law and legislation in the Council of Europe area, observation reports from individual nations and thematic reports on topics such as the protection of human rights for the Roma, minority ethnic group rights, protection of the rights of children and women and actions against human trafficking.

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