Questions of Evidence in the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies' Individual Communications Procedure

This book shows how UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies address evidentiary issues to bring redress to victims of human rights violations.

How is a human rights victim to establish the factual basis of their individual claim before a UN treaty body? This volume examines crucial legal questions linked to the burden and standard of proof, thereby bringing to the surface justice, truth and power dynamics. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.Eight United Nations human rights treaty bodies (UNTBs) can currently examine 'communications' (complaints) from individuals against states. This edited collection is the first in-depth analysis of the evidentiary regimes developed within this procedure. Nine case studies underscore the weak evidentiary basis of the UNTB decisions and the importance of addressing this issue, while the final chapter offers a set of practical recommendations. Grounded in academic research and legal practice, the volume incorporates doctrinal, critical, socio-legal, and anthropological perspectives. It provides an authoritative reference on UNTBs, whilst aiming at contributing to the strengthening of their evidentiary norms and practices. The title is also available open access on Cambridge Core.