Human rights defenders often seek redress for human rights violations against others by pursuing cases through the legal system. If their national system fails to provide justice, they may seek remedies through the international legal system.

Monitoring, documentation and reporting human rights violations are vital tools of human rights advocacy. Reliable research methods are essential for human rights defenders seeking legal redress for human rights violations against others or themselves. They also prevent future problems about the credibility and legitimacy of information.

Credible, accurate and impartial reporting increases the professionalism of human rights defenders and makes it more difficult to undermine their work.

As well as taking action on human rights violations against others, it is essential that human rights defenders monitor, report and seek redress for human rights violations or threats against themselves.

Sources of legal advice, tools and support

<LINK>Combating Torture: A Manual for Action</a> Amnesty International
<LINK>Fact Sheets on the International Criminal Court</a> Amnesty International
<LINK>Fair Trials Manual</a> Amnesty International
<LINK>The International Criminal Court summary of draft and enacted implementing legislation</a> Amnesty International
<LINK>Living in the Shadows: A Primer on the Human Rights of Migrants</a> Amnesty International
<LINK>Stop violence against women: How to use international criminal law to campaign for gender-sensitive law reform</a> Amnesty International

The International Criminal Court: How Nongovernmental Organizations can Contribute to the Prosecution of War Criminals Human Rights Watch
The International Criminal Court - Information for Human Rights Defenders  Frontline
Freedom of Expression Handbook Article 19
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Caselaw Database ESCR-net

Fact Sheet No.16 on the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights UN OHCHR
Trial Observation Manual International Commission of Jurists (downloadable PDF document)
The World Law Guide Lexadin free online access to international, regional and national laws and other legal information

Sources of research advice, tools and support

Monitoring and Documenting Human Rights Violations in Africa: A Handbook by Amnesty International and CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa). Information on monitoring and investigating human rights violations including sexual violence, political killings and excessive use of force. This is useful for all regions.
Huridocs Advice including on monitoring, documentation techniques and information management.
International Forensics Program Physicians for Human Rights.
Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, a non-governmental, non-profit, scientific organization that applies forensic sciences to the investigation of human rights violations in Argentina and worldwide.
Reporting Killings as Human Rights Violations Handbook produced by the Human Rights Centre, The University of Essex.
The Torture Reporting Handbook by the Human Rights Centre, The University of Essex.

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