Human Rights Resource Library
Our Human Rights Resource Library brings together selected international standards, research methodologies, documentation guides, legal databases, and online training opportunities relevant to human rights research, monitoring, protection, and advocacy.
The library is designed to support human rights defenders, researchers, volunteers, civil society organizations, students, and other interested readers in accessing reliable information and developing their knowledge and skills.
The resources are produced and maintained by independent organizations and international institutions. We aim to review and expand this collection over time, taking into account developments in human rights standards, research practices, and available training opportunities.
Human Rights Documentation Guides and Protection Standards
Human Rights Watch – Our Research Methodology
An overview of Human Rights Watch’s approach to investigating human rights abuses, including interviewing victims and witnesses, corroborating information, assessing evidence, and protecting sources.
ICRC – Professional Standards for Protection Work (Fourth Edition, 2024)
Essential professional standards for protection work in armed conflict and other situations of violence, covering risk management, engagement with affected communities, coordination, accountability, and responsible protection practices.
OHCHR – Manual on Human Rights Monitoring
A comprehensive United Nations reference on human rights monitoring, including information gathering, interviewing, verification, analysis, reporting, and follow-up. The manual provides practical guidance for human rights practitioners and organizations.
Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations (2022)
A practical guide developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley. It addresses the responsible collection, verification, preservation, and analysis of publicly available digital information for investigations into serious violations.
Istanbul Protocol – Investigation and Documentation of Torture (2022)
International guidelines for the effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, including medical, psychological, legal, and ethical considerations.
International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
International Human Rights Law – United Nations
An overview of the international legal framework for the protection of human rights, including the obligations of states under international treaties, fundamental human rights standards, and mechanisms for implementation and accountability.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights – United Nations
Adopted in 1948, the Universal Declaration sets out fundamental human rights and freedoms and has provided an essential foundation for the development of international human rights law.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Adopted in 1966 and entered into force in 1976, this international treaty protects fundamental civil and political rights, including the rights to life, liberty, personal security, a fair trial, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and political participation. It establishes legally binding obligations for States Parties to respect and ensure these rights.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
Adopted in 1966 and entered into force in 1976, this international treaty recognizes economic, social, and cultural rights, including the rights to work, education, health, social security, and an adequate standard of living. It establishes obligations for States Parties to take steps toward the progressive realization of these rights without discrimination.
Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocols and Commentaries – ICRC
The principal international humanitarian law treaties governing the protection of people affected by armed conflict, accompanied by commentaries and information on States Parties.
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
The treaty establishing the International Criminal Court and defining its jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Official versions are available in several languages, including Arabic.
1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol – UNHCR
The principal international instruments governing refugee protection, including the definition of a refugee, the rights of refugees, the obligations of States Parties, and the principle of non-refoulement.
African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights
The foundational regional human rights treaty of the African human rights system, establishing rights and duties relevant to individuals and peoples across the continent.
Human Rights Law Libraries & Databases‎
International Human Rights Instruments – United Nations
A gateway to all major UN human rights treaties, mechanisms, and foundational legal instruments.‎
UN Human Rights Library
A searchable database of United Nations documents, resolutions, publications, records, and other materials, including documents produced by United Nations human rights bodies.
OHCHR Library
A specialized reference collection containing publications, manuals, research materials, and resources relating to international human rights law, monitoring, and protection.
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights – Electronic Library
An electronic library providing access to legal and reference materials relating to the African human rights system, supporting research into regional human rights law, judicial practice, and accountability.
Online Training Courses‎
Amnesty International Human Rights Academy
An Introduction to Human Rights
An introductory course exploring fundamental human rights principles and their relevance to everyday life and human rights protection.
Introduction to Human Rights Advocacy
An introductory course on human rights advocacy, exploring approaches to raising awareness, influencing decision-makers, mobilizing support, and promoting the protection of human rights.
Introduction to Human Rights Education
Practical training on designing, facilitating, and evaluating inclusive human rights education activities, including participatory learning approaches.
The Right to Protest
Explores the right to peaceful protest, its protection under international human rights law, and approaches to defending this right and participating safely in public demonstrations.
The Rights of Refugees
An introduction to refugee rights, the right to seek asylum, challenges faced by displaced people, and practical approaches to defending the rights of people in need of international protection.
Confronting and Countering Gender-based Violence
Introduces the forms and underlying causes of gender-based violence and explores approaches to awareness-raising, prevention, and protection.
About This Resource Library
The resources listed here are provided for educational, research, and reference purposes. They are maintained by their respective publishers, and the availability of documents, courses, and language options may change.
We aim to update and expand the library as new resources become available, with particular attention to human rights documentation, the protection of civilians, refugee rights, international humanitarian law, and accountability.
Last updated: November 2026