civil liberties

Center for Civil Liberties

The Center for Civil Liberties is a Ukrainian NGO established in 2007 to promote the protection of human rights in Ukraine. Its work includes documenting war crimes (part of the 'Tribunal for Putin' initiative) and campaigning for the release of political prisoners. The website provides information about the Center's aims and activities and help for victims of human rights abuses. There is a map of enforced disappearances in Ukraine, accompanied by instructions for the relatives of the disappeared.

South African Human Rights Commission

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is a national body whose role is to protect human rights in South Africa by raising awareness and monitoring observance of human rights issues. The SAHRC also deals with complaints. Focus areas include children’s rights, the disabled and older people along with access to justice, housing, basic services and healthcare.

Peter Forskaal: Thoughts on Civil Liberty

Website dedicated to and celebrating Peter Forsskål's influential treatise Tankar om borgerliga friheten (Thoughts on Civil Liberty) published in Sweden in 1792. Forsskal's work contributed to access to information and the abolition of prior censorship which was established in 1766 by law in Sweden. The site gives information about the history of the work, access to the original pamphlet text and in English translation and in several other languages. Details of events related to freedom of information, civil liberties and the legacy of Peter Forskaal are provided.

Campaign for Freedom of Information

The Campaign for Freedom of Information is a UK based non-profit organisation which is calling for greater transparency in government. Its website provides details of its activities and news of current parliamentary legislation relating to freedom of information in local and central government, whistle-blowing, data protection and issues relating to access to personal information. It includes briefings and reports produced by the campaign relating to the Freedom of Information Bill and Act which provide critical commentary on its coverage and provisions.

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.

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.

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.

Subscribe to civil liberties