Editing Human rights (section)

== Regional human rights regimes ==
{{see also|National human rights institutions|Human rights commission}}

In over 110 countries, [[national human rights institutions]] (NHRIs) have been set up to protect, promote or monitor human rights with jurisdiction in a given country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhri.net/|title=National Human Right Institutions Forum – An international forum for researchers and practitioners in the field of national human rights|access-date=6 September 2007|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020915131117/http://www.nhri.net/|archive-date=15 September 2002|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Although not all NHRIs are compliant with the Paris Principles,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhri.net/2007/List_Accredited_NIs_Nov_2007.pdf|title=Chart of the Status of National Institutions|publisher=National Human Rights Institutions Forum|quote=Accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion of Human Rights<br />In accordance with the Paris Principles and the ICC Sub-Committee Rules of Procedure, the following classifications for accreditation are used by the ICC:<br /><br />A: Compliance with the Paris Principles;<br />A(R): Accreditation with reserve – granted where insufficient documentation is submitted to confer A status;<br />B: Observer Status – Not fully in compliance with the Paris Principles or insufficient information provided to make a determination;<br />C: Non-compliant with the Paris Principles. |date=November 2007|access-date=6 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216052314/http://www.nhri.net/2007/List_Accredited_NIs_Nov_2007.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2008|url-status=usurped}}</ref> the number and effect of these institutions is increasing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huridocs.org/|title=HURIDOCS|access-date=24 April 2019|archive-date=20 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420124835/https://www.huridocs.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Paris Principles (human rights standards)|Paris Principles]] were defined at the first International Workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Paris on 7–9 October 1991, and adopted by United Nations Human Rights Commission Resolution 1992/54 of 1992 and the General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of 1993. The Paris Principles list a number of responsibilities for national institutions.<ref>"National Human Rights Institutions – Implementing Human Rights", Executive Director Morten Kjærum, The Danish Institute for Human Rights, 2003. {{ISBN|8790744721}}, p. 6</ref>

=== Africa ===
[[File:Flag of the African Union.svg|thumb|Flag of the [[African Union]]]]
{{main|Human rights in Africa}}

The [[African Union]] (AU) is a [[continental union]] consisting of fifty-five African states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/memberstates/map.htm|title=AU Member States|publisher=African Union|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105082457/http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/memberstates/map.htm|archive-date=5 January 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Established in 2001, the AU's purpose is to help secure Africa's democracy, human rights, and a sustainable economy, especially by bringing an end to intra-African conflict and creating an effective common market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/AboutAu/au_in_a_nutshell_en.htm|title=AU in a Nutshell|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230204052/http://www.africa-union.org/root/AU/AboutAu/au_in_a_nutshell_en.htm|archive-date=30 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights]] (ACHPR) is a quasi-judicial organ of the African Union tasked with promoting and protecting human rights and collective (peoples') rights throughout the African continent as well as interpreting the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and considering individual complaints of violations of the Charter. The commission has three broad areas of responsibility:<ref name="mandate">{{cite web|url=http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/mandate_en.html|title=Mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120104536/http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/mandate_en.html|archive-date=20 January 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Promoting human and peoples' rights
* Protecting human and peoples' rights
* Interpreting the [[African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights]]

In pursuit of these goals, the commission is mandated to "collect documents, undertake studies and researches on African problems in the field of human and peoples, rights, organise seminars, symposia and conferences, disseminate information, encourage national and local institutions concerned with human and peoples' rights and, should the case arise, give its views or make recommendations to governments" (Charter, Art. 45).<ref name=mandate/>

With the creation of the [[African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights]] (under a protocol to the Charter which was adopted in 1998 and entered into force in January 2004), the commission will have the additional task of preparing cases for submission to the Court's jurisdiction.<ref name=court>{{cite web|url=http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/court_en.html|title=Protocol to the African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples's Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302212249/http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/court_en.html|archive-date=2 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a July 2004 decision, the AU Assembly resolved that the future Court on Human and Peoples' Rights would be integrated with the African Court of Justice. The [[African Court of Justice|Court of Justice of the African Union]] is intended to be the "principal judicial organ of the Union" (Protocol of the Court of Justice of the African Union, Article 2.2).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-union.org/official_documents/Treaties_%20Conventions_%20Protocols/Protocol%20to%20the%20African%20Court%20of%20Justice%20-%20Maputo.pdf|title=Protocol of the Court of Justice of the African Union |publisher=African Union|access-date=4 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724225448/http://www.africa-union.org/official_documents/Treaties_%20Conventions_%20Protocols/Protocol%20to%20the%20African%20Court%20of%20Justice%20-%20Maputo.pdf|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although it has not yet been established, it is intended to take over the duties of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, as well as act as the supreme court of the African Union, interpreting all necessary laws and treaties. The Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights entered into force in January 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/alfresco_asset/dc501e2c-a5f9-11dc-bc7d-3fb9ac69fcbb/ior630082004en.pdf|title=Open Letter to the Chairman of the African Union (AU) seeking clarifications and assurances that the Establishment of an effective African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights will not be delayed or undermined|publisher=Amnesty International|date=5 August 2004|access-date=28 January 2019|archive-date=18 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218001241/http://www.amnesty.org/en/alfresco_asset/dc501e2c-a5f9-11dc-bc7d-3fb9ac69fcbb/ior630082004en.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> but its merging with the Court of Justice has delayed its establishment. The Protocol establishing the Court of Justice will come into force when ratified by 15 countries.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=African International Courts and Tribunals|url=http://www.aict-ctia.org/courts_conti/acj/acj_home.html|title=African Court of Justice|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726152112/http://aict-ctia.org/courts_conti/acj/acj_home.html|archive-date=26 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are many countries in Africa accused of human rights violations by the international community and NGOs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/africa|publisher=Human Rights Watch|title=Africa|access-date=20 July 2019|archive-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719193033/https://www.hrw.org/africa|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Americas ===
{{Main|Human rights in Canada|Human rights in Mexico|Human rights in the United States|Human rights in Venezuela|Human rights in Peru}}
The [[Organization of American States]] (OAS) is an international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States. Its members are the thirty-five independent states of the Americas. Over the course of the 1990s, with the end of the [[Cold War]], the return to democracy in Latin America, and the thrust toward [[globalization]], the OAS made major efforts to reinvent itself to fit the new context. Its stated priorities now include the following:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oas.org/key_issues/eng/default.asp|title=OAS Key Issues|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-date=3 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203085159/http://www.oas.org/key_issues/eng/default.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Strengthening democracy
* Working for peace
* Protecting human rights
* Combating corruption
* The rights of Indigenous Peoples
* Promoting sustainable development

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (the IACHR) is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States, also based in Washington, D.C. Along with the [[Inter-American Court of Human Rights]], based in [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]], Costa Rica, it is one of the bodies that comprise the inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oas.org/documents/eng/biographies.asp?group=hhrr|publisher=Organization of American States|title=Directory of OAS Authorities|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-date=20 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120112223/http://www.oas.org/documents/eng/biographies.asp?group=hhrr|url-status=live}}</ref> The IACHR is a permanent body which meets in regular and special sessions several times a year to examine allegations of human rights violations in the hemisphere. Its human rights duties stem from three documents:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cidh.oas.org/what.htm|title=What is the IACHR?|publisher=Inter-Americal Commission on Human Rights|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-date=14 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114130108/http://www.cidh.oas.org/what.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* the [[American Convention on Human Rights]]
* the [[American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man]]
* the [[Charter of the Organization of American States]]

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights was established in 1979 with the purpose of enforcing and interpreting the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights. Its two main functions are thus adjudicatory and advisory. Under the former, it hears and rules on the specific cases of human rights violations referred to it. Under the latter, it issues opinions on matters of legal interpretation brought to its attention by other OAS bodies or member states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corteidh.or.cr/index.cfm?CFID=25331&CFTOKEN=36922058|title=InterAmerican Court on Human Rights homepage|publisher=Inter-American Court on Human Rights|access-date=3 January 2008|archive-date=27 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027062127/http://www.corteidh.or.cr/index.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Asia ===
{{main|Human rights in Asia|Human rights in East Asia|Human rights in Central Asia|Human Rights in the Middle East}}

There are no Asia-wide organisations or conventions to promote or protect human rights that have been adopted by governments until 2012. However, lawyers have been producing their own such as the [[RCHRA#Declaration of the Basic Duties of ASEAN Peoples and Governments|Declaration of the Basic Duties of ASEAN Peoples and Governments]], the first of its kind in 1983. Unique to the declaration is its invocation of governmental liabilities rather than basic human rights provisions found in the UDHR.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Welch|first=Claude|title=Asian Perspectives On Human Rights|year=2021|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-429-71032-2}}</ref> Countries vary widely in their approach to human rights and their record of human rights protection.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Repucci|first1=Sarah|last2=Slipowitz|first2=Amy|year=2021|title=Democracy Under Siege|url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/FIW2021_World_02252021_FINAL-web-upload.pdf|journal=[[Freedom in the World]]|quote=Beijing's export of antidemocratic tactics, financial coercion, and physical intimidation have led to an erosion of democratic institutions and human rights protections in numerous countries...Political rights and civil liberties in the country have deteriorated since Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014, with increased pressure on human rights organizations, rising intimidation of academics and journalists, and a spate of bigoted attacks, including lynchings, aimed at Muslims.|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210180546/https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/FIW2021_World_02252021_FINAL-web-upload.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Democracy Reports {{!}} V-Dem|url=https://www.v-dem.net/en/publications/democracy-reports/|access-date=7 July 2021|website=v-dem.net|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630040915/https://www.v-dem.net/en/publications/democracy-reports/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN)<ref name="Overview">{{cite web|url=http://www.aseansec.org/64.htm|title=Overview – Association of Southeast Asian Nations |access-date=3 January 2008|archive-date=11 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021111125204/http://www.aseansec.org/64.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref> is a geo-political and economic organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed in 1967 by [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], the [[Philippines]], Singapore and [[Thailand]].<ref>[[s:Bangkok Declaration|Bangkok Declaration]]. Wikisource. Retrieved 14 March 2007</ref> The organisation now also includes [[Brunei Darussalam]], [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Cambodia]].<ref name="Overview" /> In October 2009, the [[ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights]] was inaugurated,<ref>{{Cite web|title=ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)|url=https://asean.org/asean-political-security-community/asean-intergovernmental-commission-on-human-rights-aichr/|url-status=live|access-date=21 April 2021|website=ASEAN|language=en-US|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421042242/https://asean.org/asean-political-security-community/asean-intergovernmental-commission-on-human-rights-aichr/}}</ref> and subsequently, the [[ASEAN Human Rights Declaration]] was adopted unanimously by ASEAN members on 18 November 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2013|title=ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD and Its Translations|url=https://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/resources/ASEAN%20Publication/2013%20(7.%20Jul)%20-%20ASEAN%20Human%20Rights%20Declaration%20(AHRD)%20and%20Its%20Translation.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=21 April 2021|website=ASEAN|archive-date=10 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910081341/http://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/resources/ASEAN%20Publication/2013%20(7.%20Jul)%20-%20ASEAN%20Human%20Rights%20Declaration%20(AHRD)%20and%20Its%20Translation.pdf}}</ref>

The [[Arab Charter on Human Rights]] (ACHR) was adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States on 22 May 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=English Version of the Statute of the Arab Court of Human Rights |url=https://acihl.org/texts.htm?article_id=44 |website=acihl.org |publisher=ACIHL |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119054458/https://acihl.org/texts.htm?article_id=44 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Europe ===
[[File:European Court of Human Rights.jpg|thumb|right|European Court of Human Rights in [[Strasbourg]]]]

{{main|Human rights in Europe}}
{{see also|Human rights in the Soviet Union}}

The [[Council of Europe]], founded in 1949, is the oldest organisation working for European integration. It is an international organisation with legal personality recognised under public international law and has observer status with the United Nations. The seat of the Council of Europe is in [[Strasbourg]] in France. The Council of Europe is responsible for both the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] and the [[European Court of Human Rights]].<ref name=Council>{{cite web|url=http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_rights/|title=Council of Europe Human Rights|publisher=Council of Europe|access-date=4 January 2008|archive-date=20 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720060441/http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/|url-status=live}}</ref> These institutions bind the council's members to a code of human rights which, though strict, are more lenient than those of the United Nations charter on human rights. The council also promotes the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] and the [[European Social Charter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_Rights/Esc/|title=Social Charter|publisher=Council of Europe|access-date=4 January 2008|archive-date=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729103726/http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/default_en.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Membership is open to all European states which seek [[European integration]], accept the principle of the [[rule of law]] and are able and willing to guarantee democracy, fundamental human rights and [[freedom]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coe.int/T/e/Com/about_coe/|title=The Council of Europe in Brief|access-date=4 January 2008|archive-date=24 November 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031124043105/http://www.coe.int/T/e/Com/about_coe/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Council of Europe is an organisation that is not part of the [[European Union]], but the latter is expected to accede to the European Convention and potentially the Council itself. The EU has its own human rights document; the [[Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gouvernement.lu/salle_presse/actualite/2006/04/11conseil_europe/english_mod.pdf|title=Council of Europe – European Union: "A sole ambition for the European Continent"|author=Juncker, Jean-Claude|date=11 April 2006|publisher=Council of Europe|access-date=4 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501121011/http://www.gouvernement.lu/salle_presse/actualite/2006/04/11conseil_europe/english_mod.pdf|archive-date=1 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The European Convention on Human Rights defines and guarantees since 1950 human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe.<ref name="EUCourt">{{cite web|url=http://www.echr.coe.int/ECHR/EN/Header/The+Court/The+Court/History+of+the+Court/|title=Historical Background to the European Court of Human Rights|publisher=European Court of Human Rights|access-date=4 January 2008|archive-date=22 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222001646/http://www.echr.coe.int/ECHR/EN/Header/The+Court/The+Court/History+of+the+Court/|url-status=live}}</ref> All 47 member states of the Council of Europe have signed this convention and are therefore under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.<ref name="EUCourt" /> In order to prevent torture and inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 3 of the convention), the [[European Committee for the Prevention of Torture]] was established.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/about.htm|title=About the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture|publisher=European Committee for the Prevention of Torture|access-date=4 January 2008|archive-date=2 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102110836/http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/about.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>