International standards

International human rights law provides a framework for transitional justice in the following instruments and conventions:

• The Charter of the United Nations
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (article 8)
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (article 2)
• The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (articles 23 and 24)
• The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment (articles 2, 3, 4, 6, 5, 7, 11 and 12)
• The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (article 6) 
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child (article 39) 
• The updated set of principles to combat impunity (E/CN.4/2005/102/Add.1), (Principles 2, 5, 19, 21, 22 and 35)
• Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law 

Related documents

• The rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies, Report of the Secretary-General 
• Uniting our strengths: Enhancing United Nations support for the rule of law, Report of the Secretary-General 
• Promotion and protection of human rights study by the office of the United Nations high commissioner for human rights on human rights and transitional justice activities undertaken by the human rights components of the United Nations system 
• Guidance Note of the Secretary-General – United Nations Approach to Transitional Justice 
• Guidance Note of the Secretary‐General on reparations for Conflict‐Related Sexual Violence
• Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power 
• Report of the independent expert to update the Set of principles to combat impunity, Diane Orentlicher (E/CN.4/2005/102/Add.1) 
• CCPR general comment No. 31, the Nature of the General Legal Obligation Imposed on States parties to the Covenant (CCPR/C/GC/31)
• CCPR general comment No. 32, Article 14: Right to equality before courts and tribunals and to a fair trial (CCPR/C/GC/32)
• Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, general comment on the Right to the Truth in Relation to Enforced Disappearances (A/HRC/16/48)