Rights Resources
State Constitutions / International Human Rights Treaties
Find state constitutional protections and key international human rights materials.
State Constitutions
International Human Rights Treaties
International law and human rights influenced our Founders in formulating the U.S. Constitution and our state constitutions. They also regularly inform court rulings. These materials provide a starting point for understanding these rights and the treaty bodies that interpret and monitor them.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Foundational international human rights declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
Open resourceCore International Human Rights Instruments
OHCHR collection of the core international human rights treaties and monitoring bodies.
Open resourceInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Treaty addressing civil and political rights, including speech, religion, assembly, due process, and political participation.
Open resourceInternational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Treaty addressing economic, social, and cultural rights, including work, education, health, and an adequate standard of living.
Open resourceCommittee Against Torture
OHCHR treaty body materials related to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Open resourceCommittee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
OHCHR treaty body materials related to racial discrimination protections.
Open resourceCommittee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
OHCHR treaty body materials related to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Open resourceCommittee on the Rights of the Child
OHCHR treaty body materials related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Open resourceCommittee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
OHCHR treaty body materials related to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Open resourceUniversal Periodic Review
United Nations Human Rights Council process reviewing human rights records of UN Member States.
Open resource