3.1.2 Monitoring

“Monitoring” is the collection, verification and use of information to address human rights issues. Human rights monitoring includes gathering information about incidents, observing events (elections, trials, demonstrations, etc.), visiting sites such as places of detention and refugee camps, discussions with national authorities to obtain information and to pursue remedies and other immediate follow-up.

Monitoring is important because it provides concrete evidence of what is occurring. Monitoring also provides periodic and regularly-collected data, sheds light on trends, signals progress or deterioration, and suggests areas for priority action.

In addition, monitoring generally extends over a period of time. Extensive details about how to conduct human rights monitoring can be found in a number of sources, including:

Professional Training Series No. 7 “Training Manual on Human Rights Monitoring” (United Nations, New York). 2001. OHCHR.

Virtually all NHRIs monitor human rights, either generally, or with regard to selected issues, or both. Some have programmes to monitor the situation of specific groups. A systematic approach to the monitoring role is especially important for places of detention. See Chapter 4 with regard to monitoring in the Core Protection context.

Since UNCT’s rarely have a human rights monitoring role themselves, even though some of the UN organizations constituting the UNCT may, it is essential to support NHRIs in developing a strong capacity to monitor:

2 http://www.sahrc.org.za/sahrc_cms/publish/cat_index_41.shtml.