• International Bill of rights: The International Bill of Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and its two optional protocols and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCER). UDHR is a Declaration adopted by the General Assembly and hence requires no ratification; ICCPR has been ratified by 144 countries and ICESCER by 142 countries. 

• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: Adopted in 1965 and entered into force in 1969, it deals with a particular kind of discrimination – that based on race, colour, descent or national ethnic origin. Ratification: 156 countries.

• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Adopted in 1979 and entered into force in 1981, this represents the first comprehensive, legally binding international instrument prohibiting discrimination against women and obligating Governments to take affirmative action to advance gender equality. Ratification: 165.

• Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Adopted in 1984 and entered into force in 1989, the Convention lays out the steps to be taken by Governments to prevent torture and other cruel or degrading treatment or punishment. Ratification: 119 countries. 

• Convention on the Rights of the Child. Adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1991, the Convention recognizes the need for specific attention to protecting and promoting the rights of children. Ratification: 191 countries.

-All ratifications as of 30 July 2000

How is compliance monitored once a country ratifies a Convention?

Within each of the six major human rights treaties there is a provision to set up a treaty body to monitor compliance. This treaty body examines report of States which have ratified the treaty. Each year they engage in dialogue with approximately 60 national Governments and issue concluding observations and suggestions by independent experts for improvement. Some of these bodies are

· The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination · The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women · The Committee on the Rights of the Child · The Committee against Torture · The Human Rights Committee · The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

In addition, mechanisms have been set up beyond the Conventions to address special issues. Such mechanisms include the creation of:

· United Nations Special Rapporteurs · Special Representatives of the Secretary-General · Experts · Working Groups