The background to the database:
This database is an open-access repository of raw data that shows evidence of the impact of the core UN human rights treaties at the domestic level, in specific countries. Developed from the 2002 and 2022 studies on The Impact of the United Nations Human Rights Treaties at the Domestic Level, this database aims to provide documents covering all UN Member States, to spark dialogue on the impact of the UN human rights treaty body system and to foster enhanced research analyses on this topic.
This research does not conduct data analysis or reach a conclusion on the extent of impact of a particular treaty in any country. Rather, the database provides the primary documents (and where available, supporting documents) and indicates the kind of impact they reflect for treaties. Growing from the methodology and understanding of impact in the 2022 study, this database makes reference to four types of impact that can be achieved by a treaty: direct, indirect, material, and symbolic.
The Centre for Human Rights is proud to have been able to develop this resource to support researchers and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of treaties at the domestic level. We acknowledge and sincerely thank the late Professor Christof Heyns for bequeathing us the vision for this project through which we hope to contribute tangibly to ongoing dialogues on the value of the work of human rights treaty bodies.
How to be a part of this project:
This database is currently still being developed, and we plan to have it go live in November 2026. The Centre hopes that before going live, more countries in different regions will be sufficiently covered, making this a rich source of information for scholars globally.
We are inviting contributions from country-based researchers to input documents into the database. Specifically, we are looking for official government policies or other statements, judicial decisions, official documents of independent State institutions, and media and academic sources that discuss or reflect on how any of the core UN human rights treaties has made an impact in the particular country. Impact can be achieved through
Webinar Recording
For mor information, please contact:
Professor of International Human Rights Law
Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 3228
frans.viljoen@up.ac.za
Disclaimer
This database is currently under development and remains a work in progress. While efforts are being made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, the content available at this stage may be incomplete, subject to revision, or updated without prior notice. The organisers are actively inviting and accepting contributions to enhance the scope, quality, and comprehensiveness of the database. Users are encouraged to engage with the platform and submit relevant information where appropriate. Please note that the official launch of the database is scheduled for November 2026
