About This Dataset

Finding official instruments and documents relating to human rights and their current country status can be difficult and time consuming, even for experienced researchers. Human Rights Internet built the International Human Rights Database (now Dataset) – Canada (IHRD-C) because there was a perceived need for an easy-to-use online resource allowing Canadians and others to find information about international human rights instruments relevant to Canada, Canada’s official position vis-à-vis such instruments, and international human rights jurisprudence relating to Canada.

The information and documents in this dataset are all publicly accessible online. However, this dataset aims to simplify the process of finding international human rights information by collecting the information in one place and making documentation available through a simple link.  This dataset will be of use by researchers, lawyers, activists, journalists, and members of the public.

In facilitating access to this information, this dataset will help to:

• Create greater understanding of international human rights and how they apply to Canada
• Foster dialogue on Canada’s implementation of its international human rights commitments
• Provide a foundation for informed human rights advocacy

Build Your Country’s Own Dataset

HRI encourages countries other than Canada to build their own datasets using the IHRD-C as a model. On application, organizations in other countries who wish to will be provided with the information to do this.

PLEASE NOTE that the dataset documentation has not been updated since 2016, when IHRD-C was first developed. HOWEVER, THE STRUCTURE OF THE DATASET AND ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO FACILITATE USAGE.

HRI thanks Paul Desormeaux for help in carrying out the rebuild.

Contents

The dataset includes all instruments relevant to international human rights law to our knowledge.  The documents in this dataset are all official documents from international organizations and the Canadian government. The dataset does not provide any commentary, critique or summary of international human rights instruments and related materials.

Best efforts have been made to include PDF files taken directly from official sources or non-official yet reliable third-party sites). In some cases, PDF versions were created from HTML text on websites, or specific portions of longer PDF documents were extracted for ease of searching and access (i.e.  where certain non-binding instruments and treaty body general comments were a small subset of pages within lengthy meeting records).

ON THE SECOND TAB (TAB 2 – DOCUMENTS) OF THE GOOGLE SHEET you will find more detailed information about the documents you can expect to find; the methods used to collect the human rights documents; and the documents that are or are not included.

International Human Rights Dataset – Google Sheet

Disclaimer

Best efforts have been made to ensure that the dataset contains official, reliable information; however, HRI is not responsible for any errors or exclusions.
HRI, the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC), the University of Ottawa, and individuals who contributed to the project are not responsible for any harm(s) or consequences experienced as a result of reliance on the information contained in this dataset; viewers/users assume any risk due to such reliance. Moreover, HRI, HRREC, the University of Ottawa, and individual project contributors are not responsible for any content provided on third party websites linked to this database.