Book NotesAn Introduction to Human Rights Resources on the InternetThe increasing accessibility of the Internet has led a number of organizations to place human rights materials on web pages. Knowing that this information is available and where to look for it can be invaluable, particularly to students and smaller NGOs without the space or financial resources to maintain large paper libraries. This piece does not purport to survey everything that is available. Instead, it will attempt to give the reader a general idea of some of the types and locations of accessible materials. It is divided into sections on database/link pages, treaties, government sites, academic sources and organizations. Where easily attainable, e-mail addresses for sites are included in the footnotes for the benefit of those researchers with e-mail but not Internet access.[1] *** Top of Page 408 *** Although it can be easy, useful and entertaining to view vast quantities of information via the Internet, there are potential drawbacks that merit comment before proceeding. Internet access can be costly. Commercial Internet providers often charge on an hourly basis, and the purchase and maintenance of appropriate computer equipment can be prohibitive for some organizations. This is further complicated in countries with underdeveloped or especially expensive telephone service, where spending time on-line perusing web pages–particularly via a slow modem–can be simply unfeasible. Database/Link PagesAt the most basic level, any of the major search engines such as Yahoo,[2] Netscape,[3] AltaVista,[4] etc. can be used to run searches for human rights materials. Various news services, ranging from CNN,[5] BBC,[6] and The New York Times[7] to smaller local papers such as the English language Cambodian Phnom Penh Post[8] and Pakistani Dawn,[9] can also provide background information on current events. To aid in conducting a more tailored search, there are web pages that offer access to a wide range of human rights information via collections of links or human rights specific databases with search functions. One web page that does both of these is the Human Rights Internet,[10] which also includes a job board.[11] Another extensive page can be found at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Directory of Human Rights Resources on the Internet.[12] In addition to a list of Internet tools and web sites, the AAAS page offers electronic forums on human rights work[13] and on human rights research help.[14] *** Top of Page 409 *** A particularly useful resource is the Project DIANA Human Rights Libraries. Named in honor of Diana Vincent-Daviss,[15] The DIANA Database consists of the DIANA homepage[16] hosted by the Robert S. Marx Law Library at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, together with the three other sites with which it is linked: the Yale Law School Library,[17] the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto,[18] and the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library.[19] Rather than duplicate efforts, each of the DIANA sites has a slightly different focus. The Robert S. Marx Law Library page focuses on United Nations and Organization of African Unity materials. Although many of the links appear still to be under construction, this site offers an unusual Russian language option for some of the U.N. documents. In addition to a number of other materials, the Yale Law School Library site presents a special collection of documents, collections, and litigation materials from human rights related cases involving the United States.[20] The Bora Laskin Law Library site offers Internet links, documents, and a bibliography, which primarily deal with women’s human rights materials. The University of Minnesota Human Rights Library, with its well-organized, diverse, and user-friendly collection of human rights documents, is a particular favorite of students and researchers. TreatiesTreaties can be found via many of the link pages listed above. An extensive catalogue of treaties can also be found on The United Nations Treaty Collection site.[21] This does require a registration process, which at the moment is free. This free access is only for a limited time and will eventually become a subscription service. It is unclear when that will occur, nor precisely what the cost will be.[22] *** Top of Page 410 *** A less complicated resource is the Multilateral Project page of the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy.[23] The Multilateral Conventions on this page are available in their full text and are sorted according to subject area, including Human Rights, Cultural Relations, Diplomatic Relations and Rules of Warfare, and Arms Control. The Conventions can also be searched by keyword or viewed chronologically (beginning with 1899). GovernmentThe U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights,[24] submitted annually to the U.S. Congress, are also available online and a valuable resource. Each individual report begins with a short description of the form of government and proceeds to evaluate the country according to the standards set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The information in these reports is drawn from U.S. embassy reports and sources available to various State Department offices, including the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.[25] Although the State Department asserts that these reports are intended to be as objective, thorough, and fair as possible,[26] it is difficult to believe that they do not at times reflect U.S. political objectives and values. They can nonetheless be useful for students, academics and human rights professionals alike. Other interesting governmental pages include the home page of the European Union[27] and a page maintained by the European Commission that lists government-sponsored servers for twenty-six countries.[28] A longer list of country sites can be found courtesy of the GODORT International Documents Task Force and Northwestern University Library.[29] AcademicA number of universities have placed their own publications on-line and/or created research guides with helpful links. These resources can often *** Top of Page 411 *** be found by visiting the university’s home page and following links to the relevant law library or human rights program. In addition to the excellent DIANA sites, other academic institutions have also created useful pages. Harvard Law School, for instance, has sites both through its library[30] and through the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program.[31] Law school journals on human rights are available on-line as well, albeit often through expensive services such as Lexis-Nexis. Current trends suggest some may become more easily available in the near future. OrganizationsInter-Governmental OrganizationsThe United Nations’ site can be an excellent resource, but attempting to sort through its many on-line materials can be complex and painfully slow. Fortunately, the site provides some navigation aids. The United Nations home page[32] includes a link to human rights information.[33] From there links connect with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda,[34] the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia,[35] the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights[36] and the relevant section of the UN research guide.[37] The page for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees[38] and a page entitled “For the Record: the UN Human Rights System”[39] can also be accessed directly from the UN central site. The UN moreover offers an Official Web Site Locator for the United Nations System of Organizations.[40] However be aware that many of these pages load very *** Top of Page 412 *** slowly and it is therefore best to go directly to the relevant page when possible. The Organization of American States[41] web page, despite being somewhat difficult to access, has a number of useful resources including a link to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights web page.[42] The web page of the International Committee of the Red Cross[43] offers a range of materials relating to humanitarian law. In addition to the tribunals mentioned above, the International Court of Justice,[44] the European Court of Justice,[45] the Inter-American Court of Human Rights[46] and the European Court of Human Rights[47] all have web addresses. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)The Amnesty International (AI) web page[48] includes recent AI reports and news, campaign reports (including a slide show style preview of their video on human rights abuses in the United States), annual reports and thematic publications. AI’s best known function–providing information on particular incidents and organizing letter writing campaigns–can be found under the “Act Now” section of their page. AI’s page is easily accessible to the general public but can be slightly slow to load in sections–particularly in areas containing many graphical images. The Human Rights Watch web page[49] likewise has sections for breaking news, current events, campaigns, HRW publications, and “How You Can Help.” A search function and a linked site map both aid in maneuvering within the Human Rights Watch site while “Research and Advocacy” and “Additional Resources” sections assist the researcher. An “International Film Festival” link is outdated[50] and not directly relevant to most research pur- *** Top of Page 413 *** poses, but is a good place to scout for information on little known films about human rights issues. Lastly, the HRW page includes a choice of six additional languages. Clicking on one of these languages leads to a different set of materials in that language rather than to a direct translation of the English language page. The Institute for Global Communication (IGC)[51] provides a series of linked pages divided into the general areas of PeaceNet, EcoNet, WomensNet, LaborNet, and ConflictNet. This entire progressive site is worth a perusal although it is mentioned here primarily for the number of smaller NGOs that can be found under PeaceNet.[52] Some of PeaceNet’s more recognizable members include the American Friends Service Committee,[53] the East Timor Action Network,[54] the Human Rights Interactive Network,[55] the Committee to Protect Journalists,[56] InterAction,[57] and Physicians for Human Rights.[58] There are vastly more NGOs making significant contributions to the field of human rights than are mentioned in this section. The reader is highly encouraged to range widely in seeking them, and particularly to search out local NGOs that may have an on-line presence. Although smaller organizations may not have the time or resources to add complex lists of links to their pages, they often have access to local data that is difficult to obtain elsewhere. The Internet is a constantly changing medium that requires the user to be flexible and to adapt. In addition to updating web addresses, it is advisable to run general searches on a regular basis as new and exciting pages are constantly being added. Despite the difficulties that still remain in using the Internet, it continues to provide many users with more human rights materials than they would otherwise be able to access. —Susan Heintz [1]. Some site hosts
are willing to e-mail or postal-mail documents upon e-mail request, although
there is often a service fee. Note that a number of these e-mail addresses,
particularly those that are webmaster addresses, were not accompanied by an
explicit invitation to request materials via this medium. They are provided as
possible starting points. |
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