International Documents

WGEID supports international investigation into Iran’s 1988 massacre

The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) has repeated its support for an international inquiry into the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran in its latest report to the UN Human Rights Council. WGEID’s report to the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, A/HRC/51/31, dated 12 August 2022, states: …

WGEID supports international investigation into Iran’s 1988 massacre Read More »

UN Special Rapporteur’s report to UNGA 77 seeks accountability for Iran’s 1988 massacre

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javaid Rehman, has released his report to the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, in which he once again calls for international accountability regarding the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran. The report, A/77/181, dated 18 …

UN Special Rapporteur’s report to UNGA 77 seeks accountability for Iran’s 1988 massacre Read More »

International Standards guiding the UN Special Rapporteur on summary or arbitrary executions

From the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), this text outlines the international standards that guide the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: International Standards The Special Rapporteur is guided primarily by international legal standards. The main substantive legal framework, as indicated by the Commission on Human Rights, in …

International Standards guiding the UN Special Rapporteur on summary or arbitrary executions Read More »

The Death Penalty under International Law

The Death Penalty under International Law: A Background Paper to the IBAHRI Resolution on the Abolition of the Death Penalty Material contained in this report may be freely  quoted or reprinted, provided credit is given  to the International Bar Association. International Bar Association 10th Floor, 1 Stephen Street London W1T 1AT United Kingdom

Overview of the mandate Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

From the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), this text outlines the overview of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: Overview of the mandate The subject of summary or arbitrary executions had been discussed in the United Nations for many years within the framework of …

Overview of the mandate Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Read More »

Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions

United Nations A/HRC/RES/26/12 General Assembly    Distr.: General 11 July 2014 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-sixth session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development  Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council

Moratorium on the use of the death penalty – UNGA Resolution adopted on 18 December 2014

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2014 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/69/488/Add.2 and Corr.1)] 69/186. Moratorium on the use of the death penalty The General Assembly, Guided by the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International …

Moratorium on the use of the death penalty – UNGA Resolution adopted on 18 December 2014 Read More »

Moratorium on the use of the death penalty – UNGA Resolution adopted on 20 December 2012

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2012 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/67/457/Add.2 and Corr.1)] 67/176. Moratorium on the use of the death penalty The General Assembly, Guided by the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International …

Moratorium on the use of the death penalty – UNGA Resolution adopted on 20 December 2012 Read More »

Moratorium on the use of the death penalty – UNGA Resolution adopted on 18 December 2008

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2008 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/63/430/Add.2)] 63/168.    Moratorium on the use of the death penalty          The General Assembly, Reaffirming its resolution 62/149 of 18 December 2007 on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty,

Moratorium on the use of the death penalty – UNGA Resolution adopted on 18 December 2007

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2007 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/62/439/Add.2)] 62/149.    Moratorium on the use of the death penalty The General Assembly, Guided by the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations, Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and …

Moratorium on the use of the death penalty – UNGA Resolution adopted on 18 December 2007 Read More »

European Convention on Human Rights

European Convention on Human Rights Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Rome, 4.XI.1950 The Governments signatory hereto, being members of the Council of Europe,

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 44/128 of 15 December 1989 The States Parties to the present Protocol, Believing that abolition of the death penalty contributes to enhancement of human dignity and progressive development …

Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Read More »

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966 entry into force 23 March 1976, in accordance with Article 9 The States Parties to the present Protocol, Considering that in order further to achieve the purposes of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

UN Convention against Torture

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 39/46 of 10 December 1984 entry into force 26 June 1987, in accordance with article 27 (1) The States Parties to this Convention, Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed …

UN Convention against Torture Read More »

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The International Bill of Human Rights

Fact Sheet No.2 (Rev.1), The International Bill of Human Rights All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (art. 1), adopted by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) …

The International Bill of Human Rights Read More »

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Preamble Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of …

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Read More »

unhcr-logo

Convention and protocol relating to the status of refugees (UNHCR)

Convention and Protocol Relating To The Status of Refugees Text of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees Text of the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees Resolution 2198 (XXI) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly with an introductory note by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) …

Convention and protocol relating to the status of refugees (UNHCR) Read More »

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966 entry into force 23 March 1976, in accordance with Article 49 Preamble The States Parties to the present Covenant,