The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948 lists the fundamental human rights that are common to all people. These rights include the right to life, the prohibition against slavery, torture and arbitrary arrest, equality before the law, and the freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and participation in government. Subsequent international human rights treaties and state practice have elaborated upon and expanded these rights.

The UN Human Rights Council is the primary human rights body within the UN system and is made up of 47 States responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. The website sets out all the documentation  and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, including Regular Sessions, Special Sessions and Special Procedures and includes annual reports, countries, issues, human rights bodies, and more.

This guide lists the major online and print resources for researching human rights law. The Library also has subject guides focusing on International and foreign law and International refugee law.

More detailed information on ANU Library resources and  services is available from the ANU Library website

Information Advisors are available to assist you with your research. To speak to an advisor please come to the Information Desk in the Law Library, email law.library@anu.edu.au or phone 61254013.