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HRADP

The Global Resources Human Rights Archives and Documentation Program (HRADP) supports the gathering, preservation, and appropriate accessibility of archives and documentation regarding violations of human rights and legal proceedings in all world regions. Such documentation may include:

  • the records of official tribunals, courts, truth commissions, and investigations of human rights violations
  • records of nongovernmental organizations devoted to preventing, monitoring, and documenting human rights violations, including reports and documentation generated by such organizations for advocacy and awareness
  • evidence and documentation collected by those official and nongovernmental organizations, and
  • documentation and evidence of human rights violations gathered by others. 

 

The activities of the project are to:

  1. facilitate efforts by CRL/GRN institutions to identify, preserve, and provide access to human rights-related archives and documentation, by collecting and sharing information about the nature and status of at-risk materials, and providing other technical, communications, and financial support for preserving and maintaining those materials. 
  2. support efforts by NGOs and local and regional archiving organizations to identify, gather, protect, and maintain human rights-related documentation and evidence, by helping them strengthen their technical, legal, and operational capabilities.
  3. promote the placement of human rights-related archives and documentation in appropriate repositories well-positioned to serve the interests of the victims and affected communities, national and international legal regimes, and historians and researchers. 


See also the CRL resources below related to Human rights

The Impact of CRL

Stories illustrating CRL’s impact on research, teaching, collection building and preservation.

Unique Arab Diaspora Materials Saved for Future Scholars - In FY 2018 the Middle East Materials Project (MEMP) microfilmed Arab-language publications from several diaspora communities in non-Arab countries, including the UK, Japan, the U.S., and Poland. These resources continue to affirm MEMP’s role as a provider of rare and distinctive documentation for scholars.
[1]
Window Into Lives of Ukrainian Refugees, 1945-1954 - In 2015, the Slavic and East European Materials Project at CRL (SEEMP) completed digitization of the Ukrainian Émigré Press Collection, encompassing some 90 titles published between 1945–1954, and now dispersed in collections in Toronto, Cambridge, and New York.
[2]
Brazilian Human Rights Evidence Preserved in the Nunca Mais project - Evidence of atrocities in 1960s-70s Brazil, housed at CRL for 25 years, are now available online.
[3]
See all [4]

FOCUS

CRL’s quarterly publication examining the challenges of preservation and access for primary source materials in various fields.

Human Rights Documentation, Winter 2012 - The Winter 2012 issue of CRL’s quarterly newsletter revolves around the theme of human rights documentation, and the issues challenging the survival and integrity of evidence of human rights...
[5]
Human Rights Documentation, Winter 2007-08
[6]
Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Winter 2006-07
[7]

Topic Guides

Providing insights on key source materials in areas of special interest to CRL libraries.

Official Gazettes
[8]
Latin American Studies
[9]
Human Rights
[10]
Human rights [11]

About HRADP

The Human Rights Archives and Documentation Program is a project of the Global Resource Network focused on the preservation  of human rights-related documentation and evidence.

The program’s formation began at the 2007 public conference “Human Rights Archives and Documentation: Meeting the Needs of Research, Teaching, Advocacy and Social Justice [12],” organized by the Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research (CHRDR) at Columbia University and cosponsored by the Global Resources Network, the University of Texas Libraries, and the Center for the Study of Human Rights (Columbia).

The forum brought librarians and archivists together with Human Rights stakeholders from many disciplines to discuss the complex issues surrounding the “lifecycle” of Human Rights documentation:

  • the creation of documentation and evidence relating to a human rights offence
  • the custody and use by individuals and institutions for purposes of advocacy or justice
  • the maintenance of these records by local organizations and their eventual disposition
  • the organization, preservation, and granting of access to documentation with appropriate restrictions
  • and the further use in teaching, research, legal proceedings, and social action.

 

Speakers from a range of backgrounds and experience, including creators of documentation, experts in the legal profession, archivists, librarians, and teachers of Human Rights spoke to these challenges during the public proceedings of the conference.  The conference culminated in a working session during which attendees identified roles that libraries can play in ensuring the integrity and preservation of evidence and documentation.

The consensus of attendees was that libraries must support the effective collecting, safekeeping, and appropriate accessibility of archives and other materials that document violations of human rights and that support the prevention and prosecution of those abuses in all world regions.

Current HRADP Projects

HRADP undertakes activities based on the outcomes [13] of the GRN Forum on Human Rights Archives and Documentation.

Human Rights Electronic Evidence Project

This project [14], supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, is assessing the use of technology by human rights organizations to document human rights abuses.

Disposition of International Criminal Tribunal records

Through this project [15], HRADP actively advocates for appropriate preservation of records of several international criminal tribunals established by the United Nations to investigate genocide and other human rights violations in Rwanda, Bosnia, Cambodia, and other locations.

Human Rights Archives Information Portal

Information on human rights archives, repositories, and organizations that focus on documentation and archives is currently found in the HRADP Workspace [16], a wiki accessible to participating libraries. Contact [17]the CRL representative for information on access to the Workspace.

Outcomes of GRN Symposia

Results of the 2007 GRN Forum “Human Rights Archives and Documentation: Meeting the Needs of Research, Teaching, Advocacy and Justice [13].”

Results of the 2008 Forum “Human Rights Archives and Documentation:Transforming Ideas into Practice [18]."

Human Rights Electronic Evidence Study

In 2012 CRL completed a two-year study, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation [19], to examine how human rights organizations and activists use digital technologies to document human rights abuses.

Sponsored by the Foundation’s Human Rights and International Justice [20] program, the project analyzed technologies used by human rights monitoring and activist groups in three world regions, to determine how electronically or digitally produced documentation is collected, maintained and protected for long-term use.  

A key focus of the The Human Rights Electronic Evidence Study was the electronically generated documentation of human rights abuses created and collected  by organizations in Mexico, nations in the Russian Federation, and Rwanda. The purpose here was to examine how such documentation is collected and handled, and to ascertain to what extent current practices support the purposes of investigators, prosecutors, courts, international NGOs, and scholars. CRL's research also identified practical measures, tools, and standards for improving practice and ensuring the integrity and durability of electronic evidence. 

For more information, please contact James Simon [21], Project Director.

 

Profiles and Reports

Human Rights Electronic Evidence Study - Final Report (February 2012) [22]

Thomson Report: Admissibility of electronic documentation as evidence in U.S. Courts [23]

Rapoport Center Report: New problems in the use of electronic evidence in Human Rights investigations and prosecutions [24]

 

Human Rights Resources Profile: Web Ecology Project [25]

Human Rights Resources Profile: WITNESS [26]

Human Rights Resources Profile: Ushahidi [27]

Human Rights Resource Profile: Amnesty International--ADAM & AIDAN [28]

International Criminal Tribunals

An outcome of the Columbia University [12]Human Rights conference (Oct. 2007) was a recommendation that educational institutions with an interest in human rights teaching and research advocate that the U.S. take a position in favor of UN action to preserve the records of international criminal tribunals established by the United Nations to investigate genocide and other human rights violations in Rwanda, Bosnia, Cambodia, and other locations. Many of the courts have no mandate to preserve the sensitive and voluminous records of their proceedings for future use.

CRL continues to monitor the activities of the courts, the UN Working Group on Tribunals, and Advisory Committee on Archives, and will post updates in the HRADP community workspace.

 


* Update (12/22/10):  On 22 December 2010, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution S/RES/1966 (2010) [29], establishing the international residual mechanism for criminal tribunals. The resolution:

  • recommends that the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“the Mechanism”) be established with two branches, which shall commence functioning on 1 July 2012 (branch for the ICTR) and 1 July 2013 (branch for the ICTY).
  • establishes the seats of the branches in the Hague (for ICTY) and in Arusha, Tanzania (for the ICTR);
  • requests the Secretary-General prepare, in consultation with the Security Council, an information security and access regime for the archives of the Tribunals and the Mechanism prior to the first commencement date;
  • recommends the establishment of information and documentation centres in the countries to provide access to copies of public records of the archives of the Tribunals and the Mechanism, including through their websites.

The annexes to the Resolution firmly establish that the archives shall remain the property of the United Nations. The Mechanism shall be responsible for the management (including preservation, access, and security) of those archives.

* Update (12/2/09): The Secretary-General issued a report (S/2009/258 [30]) in May 2009 on the administrative and budgetary aspects of the options for possible locations for the archives of the ICTY and ICTR. The report states the case for the importance of the archives, provides a detailed description of the types of records generated by the Tribunals, and lays out the primary values and uses of such documentation. The report itself does not recommend a path for the residual mechanisms, but lays a case for various scenarios and resultant cost implications. These scenarios range from the minimal level of functions (trial of the remaining fugitives and maintenance of the archives) to the maximal level (multiple trials, protection of witnesses, etc). It also projects a scenario in which the archives are maintained separately from any other residual functions.The Report has been submitted to the Security Council for review.

* Update (12/19/08): The report of the Advisory Committee on Archives (ACA) was received by the Working Group on the International Tribunals, charged with considering the issues of the residual mechanisms of the courts. The (not publicly distributed) report addresses a number of issues, including the location, public access, and security of the archives of Tribunal, as well as preservation of the Tribunal’s records.

The Security Council requested the Secretary-General present a report within 90 days on the administrative and budgetary aspects of the options for possible locations for the Tribunals’ archives and the seat of the residual mechanism (UN Docs S/2008/849 [31] and S/PRST/2008/47 [32]).

* Update (8/25/2008): The Office of War Crimes Issues is awaiting the findings of the Advisory Committee chaired by Judge Richard Goldstone before issuing any recommendations on the matter. According to Security Council Report for August 2008 [33], “the Advisory Committee on Archives to the Registrars set up in October 2007 is expected to present its final recommendations to the tribunals’ registrars in the next few months.” (conversation with State Dept. Office of War Crimes 8/25/08. jts)

* Update (4/28/08):  A response from Clint Williamson, U.S. Department of State, was received April 2008.  Williamson response [34].

* 1/30/2008:  The Center for Research Libraries, on behalf of several U.S. universities, wrote to the U.S. Department of State Office of War Crimes regarding this issue. View a copy of the letter, co-signed by 14 Provosts, here [35].

Papers and Presentations

  • “ [36]Human Rights Archives and Documentation: Transforming Ideas into Practice. [18]” [37] Symposium, March 3–4, 2008. Thomas J. Dodd Research Center and the Human Rights Institute, University of Connecticut.
  • “ [36]Human Rights Documentation [13],” FOCUS on Global Resources, Winter 2007–08. Volume 27, Number 2.
  • “ [36]Human Rights Archives and Documentation: Meeting the Needs of Research, Teaching, Advocacy, and Justice. [12]” [37] Conference, October 4–6, 2007. Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research, Columbia University Libraries.

 

Other Relevant Documents

  • Peterson, Trudy Huskamp. “ [36]Temporary Courts, Permanent Records [38]." United States Institute of Peace Special Report 170 (August 2006).
  • Truth Commissions Digital Collection [39]
    United States Institute of Peace
  • Akhavan, Payam. "Beyond Impunity: Can International Criminal Justice Prevent Future Atrocities? [40]" American Journal of International Law, vol. 95:7 (2001).

Contact HRADP

For general information about HRADP, please contact:

Sarah Van Deusen Philips [41], Project Coordinator
The Center for Research Libraries
6050 South Kenwood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637-2804
U.S.A

(773) 955-4545 ext. 333

 

For more information on the Global Resources Network and its activities, contact: James Simon [21], GRN Director.


Source URL: https://www.crl.edu/programs/hradp

Links
[1] https://www.crl.edu/impact/unique-arab-diaspora-materials-saved-future-scholars-0
[2] https://www.crl.edu/impact/window-lives-ukrainian-refugees-1945-1954
[3] https://www.crl.edu/impact/brazilian-human-rights-evidence-preserved-nunca-mais-project
[4] https://www.crl.edu/impact
[5] https://www.crl.edu/focus/winter-2012
[6] https://www.crl.edu/focus/winter-2007-08
[7] https://www.crl.edu/focus/winter-2006-07
[8] https://www.crl.edu/collections/topics/official-gazettes
[9] https://www.crl.edu/collections/topics/latin-american-studies
[10] https://www.crl.edu/collections/topics/human-rights
[11] https://www.crl.edu/facets/human-rights
[12] http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/humanrights/news_events/2007/conference/index.html
[13] https://www.crl.edu/focus/article/411
[14] https://www.crl.edu/grn/hradp/electronic-evidence
[15] https://www.crl.edu/grn/hradp/ict
[16] http://workspace.crl.edu/display/HRADP/Human+Rights+Archives+Information+Portal
[17] https://www.crl.edu/grn/hradp/contact-hradp
[18] http://www.lib.uconn.edu/online/research/speclib/ASC/outreach/human_rights_symposium.htm
[19] http://www.macfound.org/
[20] http://www.macfound.org/human_rights
[21] mailto:simon@crl.edu
[22] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/HREES_Final_Report_Public.pdf
[23] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/Thomson-E-evidence-report.pdf
[24] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/Rapoport-E-evidence-report.pdf
[25] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/WEP_Report_5.7.pdf
[26] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/HRResourcesProfile_WITNESS_7.27.10_0.pdf
[27] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/Ushahidi_Profile_6%2012%2011_FINAL_0.pdf
[28] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/AI_Profile_FINAL_8.11.11.pdf
[29] http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_resolutions10.htm
[30] http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/sgrep09.htm
[31] http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.securitycouncilreport.org%2Fatf%2Fcf%2F%257B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%257D%2FICTY%26R%2520S%25202008%2520849.pdf&rct=j&q=S%2F2008%2F849&ei=GF_6TYfqI8jz-gabmbC9Aw&usg=AFQjCNGX_dYww5N4CJqmkNfpDWQmfdug7w&sig2=6gZBC9c6gxUDaVlEebAVjA&cad=rja
[32] http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_pres_statements08.htm
[33] http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/site/c.glKWLeMTIsG/b.4374795/
[34] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/Williamson_2008.pdf
[35] https://www.crl.edu/sites/default/files/d6/attachments/pages/Reilly_2008.pdf
[36] https://www.crl.edu/javascript%3AShowBigCharacter%28%27ldquo%27%29
[37] https://www.crl.edu/javascript%3AShowBigCharacter%28%27rdquo%27%29
[38] http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr170.html
[39] http://www.usip.org/library/truth.html
[40] http://www.asil.org/ajil/recon2.pdf
[41] mailto:svandeusen@crl.edu