Protecing Human Rights Effectively and Efficiently by Documenting Violations

Documenting human rights violations and acting on documented human rights violations is an effective way of protecting human rights.  This article discusses about what is human rights violations, why we should document human rights violations and give recommendations for effectively documenting and acting on human rights violations


What is documenting human rights violations?

Systematically recording alleged incidents of human rights violations after conducting objective investigation, inquiry and arriving at findings is called documenting human rights violations. A human rights document can take the form of hard paper copy, electronic – audio/visual – medium, electromagnetic medium, etc.

When documenting human rights violations, it is essential to prioritize them according to some criteria, perhaps on the basis of the objective of documentation, the nature, gravity, frequency etc of violations.

Why should we document human rights violations?

• Human rights violations should be recorded in a systematic, scientifically-tested and acceptable manner to address human rights violations diligently.

• By documenting human rights violations, it provides an accurate record of human rights violations in the country. It helps in monitoring and protecting human rights in the country.

• Recording human rights violations enable the victim of violations and/or next of kin access accurately verified information of the violation.

• The systematic recording demands state to be accountable for the status of human rights of the country before the relevant UN bodies. If the state is not the guilty party of violating human rights, accurate and objective documentation of human rights offers a State a sound footing to argue its case.

• It helps the institutions that are mandated to inquire into and grant relief to human rights violations to discharge their functions effectively and efficiently.

• Documenting rights helps to bring perpetrators to justice by the duly charged institutions.


Recommendations for effectively documenting and act on human rights violations

• Utilize standardised methods for documenting human rights.

• Train human rights activists in documenting human rights violations.

• Adopt systems to scientifically analyse human rights violations
• Produce comprehensive reports about the human rights situation of the country.

• Take positive action against human rights violations through national and international human rights mechanisms, using documented human rights records.