Monitoring

Monitoring means the close observation of a situation or individual case carried out so as to determine what further action needs to be taken. The following elements constitute monitoring:

It is carried out over an extended period of time.
It involves collecting or receiving a large quantity of data.
Close observation of the situation is done through constant or periodic examination or investigation and documentation of developments.
Standards or norms are used as reference in objectively assessing the situation or case in question, especially in determining what is wrong with it.
Tools or instruments are used in identifying how the situation compares with established standards or norms.
The product of monitoring is usually a report about the situation.
The report embodies an assessment of the situation which provides a basis for further action.

Human rights monitoring can have the following particular purposes:

to assist governments in applying international standards;
to be able to pressure governments into adopting and implementing international standards;
to be able to undertake domestic legal actions like taking cases to court;
to be able to undertake other actions like denunciations and publicity campaigns, with the goal of bearing pressure on the government and/or to enhance public awareness
to be able to help particular victims; and
to be able to provide early warning in potential conflict areas.

To read more on Monitoring, please refer to the HURIDOCS book on What is Monitoring?