Regional human rights mechanisms

When domestic institutions fail to uphold the law and are in some cases the violators of the law, it may be possible or necessary to seek redress beyond national boundaries. Regional legal framework means that one can claim their rights to be assessed at a regional level, providing the country is put of this framework, and providing all national remedies have either been exhausted or deemed inefficient. Regional systems of promotion and protection can further help strengthen the enjoyment of human rights.

The following pages introduce the existing regional frameworks: African, American, Arab and European. Asia and the Pacific are the major regions that still does not have a human rights mechanism.

European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights

European Social Charter

African Charter on Human and People's Rights

African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

American Convention on Human Rights

Arab Charter

Asia and the Pacific