Human Rights Research and Advocacy:  Holocaust Lessons Learned

Bayefsky.com Database www.bayefsky.com

The UN human rights treaty system applies to virtually every child, woman or man in the world.  The successful implementation of the human rights treaty standards, whether at the international or national level, depends on their accessibility to the victims of human rights abuse. This means both familiarity with the standards and access to remedial mechanisms.  Bayefsky.com was designed, in collaboration with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for the purpose of enhancing the implementation of the human rights legal standards of the UN by making materials associated with the treaty system available in electronic and user-friendly form.  The information provided on the website encompasses a range of data concerning the application of the UN human rights treaty system by its monitoring treaty bodies since their inauguration in the 1970's. Launched in 2003, it has had over 2 million visitors from over 200 states and territories and services victims of human rights abuse, educational institutions, advocacy groups and governments on a daily basis.

UN Human Rights Treaty Information Portal  www.humanrightsinfo.com

The UN human rights treaties are at the core of the international system for the promotion and protection of human rights. Every UN member state is a party to one or more of the seven major human rights treaties. It is a universal human rights legal system. The purpose of this portal is to enhance the access of human rights victims and their advocates to electronic information concerning the human rights treaty system.

EYEontheUN.org website www.eyeontheun.org

This website is both a database of information and a platform for opinion and advocacy related to human rights and the lessons of the Holocaust.  The United Nations rose from the ashes of World War II and the Holocaust. The UN's original vision was to insure the international peace and security that is a precondition for human dignity and mutual respect. The starting point of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights was clear: "Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind..."  The foundational UN principles of equality, universal human rights and fundamental freedoms emanated from a real and immediate sense of wrong and responsibility. As the Nuremberg Tribunal taught, "Crimes against international law are committed by men, not by abstract entities." The UN was to play a central role in the so-called "naming and shaming" of transgressors, and where necessary, was to garner the political will to stop egregious violations of dignity and freedom. There is little doubt, however, that the UN has often failed to live up to the task of preventing human rights abuses or even identifying the perpetrators.  This website is dedicated to making transparent the UN's record on its fundamental promise - to identify, condemn, and protect against human rights violations and confront and respond to threats to international peace and security. The site provides an information base for the re-evaluation of priorities and directions for modern-day democratic societies.