What is the IPU? Latest News History Members Areas of activity Functioning and documents Finance and administration Statutory Assemblies Governing Council Executive Committee Committees and Working Groups Geopolitical groups Specialized meetings Future meetings IPU President Secretary General Publications Press Releases PARLINE database Women in politics - bibliographic database ASGP Home page

Publications listed below can be ORDERED ON-LINE until the stock lasts. You can access the order form by clicking on the cover of the publication. International Humanitarian Law (2016) Human Rights (2016) Migration, human rights and governance (2015) Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2014) Nationality and Statelessness (2014) Technological options for capturing and reporting parliamentary proceedings (2014) Effective Laws to End HIV and AIDS: Next Steps for Parliaments (2014) Guidelines for Women's Caucuses (2013) Handbook: Sustaining Parliamentary Action to Improve Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (2013) Handbook: Internal Displacement: Responsibility and Action (2013) Handbook: Supporting Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (2012) Handbook: Information and communication technologies in parliamentary libraries (2012) Guide "Raising the Profile of HIV and AIDS in Your Parliament" (2012) Handbook on Child Participation in Parliament (2011) Advocacy kit for parliamentarians "Disaster Risk Reduction: An Instrument for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals" (2010) Mobilizing parliamentary support for the Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (2009) Missing persons. A Handbook for Parliamentarians (2009) Handbook for Parliamentarians on Combating Trafficking in Persons (2009) Taking action against HIV and AIDS (2007) Handbook for parliamentarians on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007) Improving the Protection of Children in Conflict with the Law in South Asia (2007) Eliminating violence against children (2007) Missing pieces: A guide for reducing gun violence through parliamentary action (2007) Parliament and democracy in the twenty-first century: A guide to good practice (2006) Nationality and Statelessness: A Handbook for Parliamentarians (2005) Human Rights: Handbook for Parliamentarians (2005) Making reconciliation work: the role of parliaments (2005) Handbook for Parliamentarians: Combating Child Trafficking (2005) Volunteerism and Legislation: A Guidance Note (2004) Handbook: Child protection (2004) Handbook: Parliament, the Budget and Gender (2004) Handbook: A Guide to Parliamentary Practice (2004) Handbook for Parliamentarians "The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol" (2003) Handbook for Parliamentarians "Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector: Principles, Mechanisms and Practices" (2003) Handbook for Parliamentarians "Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labour" (2002) Handbook for Parliamentarians "Refugee protection: A Guide to International Refugee Law" (2001) Handbook for Legislators on HIV/AIDS, Law and Human Rights (1999) Handbook for Parliamentarians: Respect for International Humanitarian Law (1999) INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW This Handbook is the most recent outcome of many fruitful years of cooperation and partnership between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross.. It is specially designed to familiarize parliamentarians with the general principles of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols and guide them in the process of implementing this body of law in their respective countries. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2016 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (4.4 Mb), French (4.5 Mb) HUMAN RIGHTS The first edition of this Handbook was issued more than ten years ago. This long-awaited update includes references to new human rights instruments and mechanisms, and to new challenges, opportunities and threats. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2016 Languages: English, French and Spanish PDF versions English (2.53 Mb), French (4.87 Mb), Spanish (4.40 Mb) MIGRATION, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE International migration today is motivated by a range of economic, political and social factors. This handbook covers the issues, tools and policy responses to international migration which should enable parliamentarians to help ensure that migration takes place in ways that are fair, mutually beneficial and respectful of human rights. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2015 Languages: English, French and Spanish PDF versions English (2.7 Mb), French (2.7 Mb), Spanish (2.0 Mb) IMPLEMENTING THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Although indigenous peoples make up five per cent of the global population, they account for one third of the one billion extremely poor rural people. In addition, indigenous peoples suffer widespread violations of rights and are often excluded from decision making at all levels. This Handbook for Parliamentarians Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples aims to help MPs to take concrete action through legislation, government oversight and resource allocation in order to improve the socio-economic conditions and political marginalization of indigenous peoples. Year of publication: 2014 Languages: English, French, Spanish and Russian PDF versions English (2 Mb), French (2 Mb), Spanish (2 Mb), Russian (2 Mb) NATIONALITY AND STATELESSNESS There are an estimated 10 million people in the world who are not recognized as a national of any country, i.e. stateless. Every year, tens of thousands of children are born stateless. Statelessness is not just about identity but also about protection and access to education, health, employment and other rights such as political participation. Parliamentarians can help end statelessness by adopting and ensuring implementation of legislation that is consistent with international law as well as promoting State accession to the two UN statelessness conventions. This Handbook produced by IPU and UNHCR, will help parliamentarians and others to address the challenge of statelessness. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2014 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (2,53 Mb), French (2,54 Mb) TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIONS FOR CAPTURING AND REPORTING PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS This practical guide draws on the experiences and practices of several legislatures. It is intended to help parliaments to take informed decisions when developing their capacity to publish records of plenary and committee proceedings. It will be of particular interest to parliaments that do not yet publish their proceedings regularly or on a timely basis. It should also serve those that are looking to identify best practices and deliver better services. It has been prepared by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, through the Global Centre for ICT in Parliament. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2014 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (3,4 Mb), French (3,36 Mb) EFFECTIVE LAWS TO END HIV AND AIDS: NEXT STEPS FOR PARLIAMENTS With the global AIDS response becoming increasingly hampered by the criminalization of key populations, this study aims to encourage and assist parliamentary scrutiny of legislation that impedes effective HIV interventions. It highlights the various processes in selected parliaments that led to the adoption of laws with a positive impact on the AIDS response. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2014 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (2,76 Mb), French (2,78 Mb) GUIDELINES FOR WOMEN'S CAUCUSES More than 80 caucuses for women parliamentarians now exist globally. In a political environment still heavily dominated by men, these practical “Guidelines for Women’s Caucuses” provide all the information you need to have on why such groups for women parliamentarians are important and the various steps needed to set up and run one. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2013 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (3,65 Mb), French (3,39 Mb) HANDBOOK: SUSTAINING PARLIAMENTARY ACTION TO IMPROVE MATERNAL, NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH How can MPs more effectively tackle one of the most serious developmental issues the world faces – maternal and new-born child health? IPU’s Handbook for Parliamentarians no 21 is a highly practical resource for MPs everywhere to use in their work to dramatically reduce maternal and child mortality rates. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2013 Languages: English, French and Spanish PDF versions English (987 Kb), French (1'061 Kb), Spanish (2.02 Mb) HANDBOOK: INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT : RESPONSIBILITY AND ACTION With more people internally displaced in the world than before, this Handbook for Parliamentarians jointly produced with UNHCR will help countries and parliaments dealing with such crises to put in place effective legislation and guidance on its implementation. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2013 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (2 Mb), French (2.23 Mb), Georgian (2.24 Mb) HANDBOOK: SUPPORTING NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION AND DISARMAMENT This Handbook, produced jointly by IPU and PNND, is intended to assist parliaments and MPs to take bold action in implementing the 2009 ground-breaking IPU Resolution on advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It supports the UN Secretary-General’s five-point proposal for a nuclear weapons-free world. The Handbook also highlights a wide range of good policies and practices designed to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation whilst exploring what MPs can do to fashion the legislative agendas needed to advance these major goals. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2012 Languages: English (French and Spanish versions are out of print) PDF versions English (2.69 Mb), French (2.86 Mb), Spanish (2.39 Mb), Russian (3.02 Mb) HANDBOOK: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARIES This practical guide provides a concise overview of the ICT software, systems and services that can be adopted by parliamentary libraries, a template for their implementation and a series of references to which parliamentary staff can refer while planning to transform their library into an ICT-based institution. It has been prepared by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the IFLA Section on Library and Research Services for Parliaments through the Global Centre for ICT in Parliament. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2012 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (2.33 Mb), French (4.81 Mb), Spanish (3.40 Mb) GUIDE: RAISING THE PROFILE OF HIV AND AIDS IN YOUR PARLIAMENT This guide is intended as a practical tool for parliamentarians who wish to organize themselves into cross-party groups and step up to the challenge that HIV presents. It is also designed for the civil society organizations that wish to work with them. The guide accompanies the IPU-UNAIDS-UNDP Handbook for Parliamentarians "Taking action against HIV and AIDS". This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2012 Languages: English (French version is out of print) PDF versions English (2.86 Mb), French (2.11 Mb) HANDBOOK ON CHILD PARTICIPATION IN PARLIAMENT This handbook, a collaborative effort of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UNICEF, addresses some of the key ways in which parliamentarians can guarantee that children's voices, concerns and interests find expression in and are taken into account by parliaments. It aims to provide parliamentarians with information on a variety of effective mechanisms to ensure that children's participation in parliaments is meaningful, reflects the voices of the most marginalized and contributes to policies, laws and budgets that will help correct the disparities and inequities that afflict the world's children. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2011 Languages: French (English version is out of print) PDF versions English (958 Kb), French (964 Kb) ADVOCACY KIT FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS "DISASTER RISK REDUCTION: AN INSTRUMENT FOR ACHIEVING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS" The new tool is intended to assist members of parliament in their oversight of national progress and investments made towards achieving the MDGs from the perspective of disaster risk reduction, a crucial component of development policies. Goal by goal, the publication outlines priorities, steps and interventions required to reduce or eliminate disaster risks. The kit provides examples of good parliamentary practices in many countries and shows why disaster risk reduction is indispensable for ensuring steady progress towards the achievement of the MDGs.     Year of publication: 2010 Languages: this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (1.67 Mb), French (1.08 Mb), Spanish (1.80 Mb), Arabic (746 Kb), Chinese (827 Kb), Russian (857 Kb) MOBILIZING PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT FOR THE BRUSSELS PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES This guide is a practical tool for LDC parliaments on action they can take in support of the Brussels Programme of Action (BPOA), including by establishing or strengthening already existing parliamentary structures. It is also intended for use by UN field offices in LDC countries to provide them with a better understanding of how they can interact with these parliaments more effectively and assist them in their work. This Guide is part of the joint efforts of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Countries and Small Island Developing States to help parliaments tackle issues of governance and mainstream the objectives of the BPOA into national development strategies. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2009 Languages: English and French PDF versions English (1.35 Mb), French (828 Kb) MISSING PERSONS This Handbook is the result of a combined effort by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Its purpose is to assist parliaments and their members to bring address the question of missing persons and to ensure that comprehensive national policies are adopted to prevent disappearances, ascertain the fate of missing persons and provide help for their families.   Year of publication: 2009 Languages: this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (2.8 Mb), French (2.1 Mb), Arabic (1.2 Mb) HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS ON COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Jointly produced by the IPU and UNODC, the Handbook on Combating Trafficking in Persons is intended to encourage parliamentarians to take an active part in stopping human trafficking. It offers guidance on how national legislation can be brought in line with international standards by, for example, defining trafficking in persons and criminalizing all its forms. It outlines measures to prevent commission of the crime of trafficking in persons, to prosecute offenders and to protect victims. It also contains advice on how to report on this crime and how to enlist civil society in the cause. The Handbook was formally launched on 7 April 2009, during the 120th IPU Assembly in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat.   Year of publication: 2009 Languages: this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (2 Mb), French (1.58 Mb) TAKING ACTION AGAINST HIV AND AIDS Jointly produced by IPU, UNDP and UNAIDS, this Handbook is both a call to action for parliamentary leadership and a reference book to which parliamentarians and their staff may turn for information and guidance on specific issues of importance in the response to HIV. It provides many illustrations of good practices by legislatures and gives examples of leadership by individual parliamentarians. The Handbook is designed to help parliaments and their members to exercise fully their legislative, budgetary and oversight powers to tackle HIV in their communities and countries. The Handbook was released in English at the First Global Parliamentary Meeting on HIV/AIDS (Manila, 28-30 November 2007). French translation will become available at the beginning of 2008. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2007 Languages: English and Spanish (French version is out of print) PDF versions English (2.43 Mb), French (2.38 Mb), Spanish (2.27 Mb) HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS ON THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES The Handbook explains in practical terms the rationale and objectives of a new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. It also delves into the ways in which parliaments can translate the rights and principles at the core of the Convention into tangible action on the home front. The Handbook, a joint publication of the IPU, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, was released in English at the 117th IPU Assembly in Geneva (8-10 October 2007). French, Spanish and Arabic translations will become available in the spring of 2008. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2007 Languages: French, Spanish and Arabic (English version is out of print) PDF versions English (3.96 Mb), French (1.03 Mb), Spanish (977 Kb), Russian (1.90 Mb), Arabic (1.81 Mb) HTML Version This version is available on the website of the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations IMPROVING THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW IN SOUTH ASIA This tool, produced by IPU and UNICEF, is designed specifically for members of parliament from South Asia. It focuses on the particular issues and challenges related to juvenile justice in the region. The regional guide is based on the results of a survey carried out by UNICEF and includes practical recommendations for parliamentary action.   Year of publication: 2007 Languages: Initially published in English, this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF version English (318 Kb) ELIMINATING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN Jointly produced by the IPU and UNICEF, the Handbook provides recommendations and examples of good practices to enable parliamentarians to follow up the recent United Nations Secretary- General's Study on Violence against Children. The Handbook was formally launched on 2 May 2007, during the 116th IPU Assembly in Bali (Indonesia). At the launch, parliamentarians were encouraged to make use of the Handbook, disseminate it in parliament and translate it into national languages. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2007 Languages: English and French (Spanish and Arabic versions are out of print) PDF versions English (710 Kb), French (481 Kb), Spanish (527 Ko), Arabic (1'269 Kb) MISSING PIECES: A GUIDE FOR REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE THROUGH PARLIAMENTARY ACTION The handbook was produced jointly by the IPU Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre). The Handbook was formally launched on 30 April 2007, during the 116th IPU Assembly in Bali (Indonesia). The publication follows the adoption by the 114th IPU Assembly (Nairobi, 2006) of a resolution on The role of parliaments in strengthening the control of trafficking in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. It looks at international commitments, identifies good practices and model legislation, and ultimately guides and inspires parliamentary action in this crucial area. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2007 Languages: English (French and Spanish versions are out of print) PDF versions English (960 Kb), French (825 Kb), Spanish (1'508 Kb) PARLIAMENT AND DEMOCRACY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: A GUIDE TO GOOD PRACTICE Parliament and democracy in the twenty-first century: A guide to good practice provides a comprehensive and systematic account of the central role that parliament plays in a democracy. It identifies the five key objectives for a parliament: to be representative, transparent, accessible, accountable and effective. It then proceeds to give examples of how parliaments, in concrete terms, are seeking to fulfil those objectives. Drawing on submissions from more than 75 national parliaments, the Guide provides clear evidence that democratic change is possible, and offers some very practical illustrations of how it might be brought about [ More information on the Guide ...] This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2006 Languages: French and Spanish. English and Arabic are out of print PDF versions English (1'835 Kb), French (1'984 Kb), Spanish (1'504 Kb), Arabic (2'500 Kb) NATIONALITY AND STATELESSNESS: A HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS "Citizenship is man's basic right for it is nothing less than the right to have rights" (Chief Justice Earl Warren - USA, 1958). Published jointly by the IPU and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Handbook on Nationality and Statelessness provides parliamentarians with a broad description of the international principles regulating nationality and statelessness; discusses the rights and obligations of stateless persons as protected under international law; highlights the main causes of statelessness and suggests practical steps parliamentarians can take to help reduce the incidence of statelessness.   Year of publication: 2005 Languages: this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (980 Kb), French (948 Kb), Portuguese (669 Kb), Spanish (1.89 Mb), Estonian (1.11 Mb) Albanian (623 Kb), Arabic (546 Kb), Azeri (765 Kb), Bosnian (538 Kb), Bulgarian (344 Kb), Chinese (4.43 Mb), Croatian (2.10 Mb), Georgian (224 Kb), German (1.49 Mb), Hungarian (633 Kb), Japanese (1.42 Kb), Korean (633 Kb), Latvian (318 Kb), Montenegrin (628 Kb), Nepali (1.85 Mb), Polish (2.14 Mb), Romanian (439 Kb), Russian (781 Kb), Serbian (766 Kb), Slovak (305 Kb), Slovene (349 Kb) HUMAN RIGHTS: HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS Published jointly by the IPU and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Handbook on Human Rights for Parliamentarians is intended for parliamentarians who want to familiarize themselves with the framework that has been set up since 1945 by the United Nations and regional organizations to protect and promote human rights. It presents the notion of human rights and the core contents of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It specifies the obligations of States to protect and promote human rights, and contains suggestions as to action that parliaments and their members may take to contribute to their implementation.   Year of publication: 2005 Languages: Initially published in English, French, Spanish and Arabic, this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (1.23 Mb), French (1.35 Mb), Spanish (1.22 Mb), Arabic (1.02 Mb) MAKING RECONCILIATION WORK: THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS A joint publication by the IPU and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), this book aims to provide some insights into the role played by parliaments, not only of those countries directly affected by conflict, but also those of other countries, in coming to terms with the legacy of abuse that so often marks sustained periods of internal strife. The handbook provides a number of innovative examples of transitional justice experiences and concrete suggestions for parliamentarians as they support reconciliation. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2005 Languages: French and Spanish (English and Arabic versions are out of print) PDF versions English (1'010 Kb), French (1'036 Kb), Spanish (1'018 Kb), Arabic (379 Kb) HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS: COMBATING CHILD TRAFFICKING Jointly produced by the IPU and UNICEF, this Handbook focuses on concrete measures that parliamentarians can take to combat child trafficking. The Handbook serves as a catalyst for action, providing concrete examples of ways and means of building a protective environment for children and parliamentarians' role in this regard. Year of publication: 2005 Languages: Initially published in English, French and Spanish, this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (798 Kb), French (648 Kb), Spanish (888 Kb) VOLUNTEERISM AND LEGISLATION: A GUIDANCE NOTE This Guidance Note was jointly produced by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Guidance Note results from a survey carried out among a selection of parliaments, governments and Red Cross National Societies. It is a practical tool aimed at assisting parliaments and other actors in developing an enabling legal environment for volunteerism. The publication highlights the principal considerations and provisions required in any legal framework for the further development of volunteerism. It examines the main areas of law that can impact on volunteerism, and proposes some key elements to be taken into account in the relevant legislative processes. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2004 Languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic PDF versions English (289 Kb), French (416 Kb), Spanish (499 Kb), Arabic (271 Kb) HANDBOOK: CHILD PROTECTION Jointly produced by the IPU and UNICEF, this Handbook covers a wide range of themes related to child protection, including trafficking of children, violence against children, female genital mutilation, the sexual exploitation of children, children and war, and juvenile justice. The Handbook serves as a catalyst for action, providing concrete examples of ways and means of building a protective environment for children and parliamentarians' responses to the challenges of child protection. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2004 Languages: English and French (Spanish and Arabic versions are out of print) PDF versions English (903 Kb), French (1075 Kb), Spanish (573 Kb), Arabic (966 Kb) HANDBOOK: PARLIAMENT, THE BUDGET AND GENDER This handbook, jointly produced with the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank Institute and the United Nations Fund for Women, was inspired by a series of regional and national seminars on Parliament and the Budgetary Process, Including from a Gender Perspective. Intended as a reference tool, this handbook sets out practical examples of parliament's active engagement in the budgetary process. It seeks to advance parliament's own institutional capacity to make a positive impact on the budget, and to equip parliament, its members and parliamentary staff with the necessary tools to examine the budget from a gender perspective. The Handbook will also serve as a follow-up guide for participants of past and future seminars on the role of parliaments in the budgetary process. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2004 Languages: English (French, Spanish and Arabic versions are out of print) PDF versions English (652 Kb), French (691 Kb), Arabic (452 Kb) HANDBOOK: A GUIDE TO PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE This Handbook is a practical guide on parliaments and their working methods. It is a tool for officials of international organisations who interact with parliaments to promote co-operation between these organisations and parliaments. It also provides useful hints to parliamentarians on the work of international organisations and how they can access the resources available in these organisations in the accomplishment of their mandate. The Handbook focuses on the policies and strategies of UNESCO with whose cooperation it has been written.   Year of publication: 2004 Languages: this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (193 Kb), French (202 Kb), Spanish (330 Kb), Arabic (242 Kb) HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol This handbook, jointly produced with the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, offers a comprehensive and educational presentation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which is the most comprehensive international instrument on women's rights, and its Optional Protocol. The handbook presents the background to and content of the Convention and the Optional Protocol and describes the role of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which secures implementation at the national level. It provides examples of best practices and gives an overview of what parliamentarians can do to ensure effective implementation of the Convention and encourage use of the Protocol. It also proposes model instruments and reference material as aids designed to facilitate the work of legislators. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat.   Year of publication: 2003 Languages: this publication is out of print and no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (659 Kb), French (4,66 Mb), Arabic (675 Kb), Chinese (1.8 Mb), Russian (735 Kb) HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT OF THE SECURITY SECTOR: Principles, Mechanisms and Practices This handbook offers a comprehensive set of practices and mechanisms which might shape parliament's contribution to security oversight. It has been written on the assumption that there is no single model of parliamentary oversight which works for all countries. The rules and practices that are accepted and effective in one place may be unthinkable or irrelevant in another. Moreover, all parliaments do not have the same powers. Given these different realities, some of the suggestions the handbook contains may inevitably appear excessively idealistic. At the same time, the complex nature of security issues makes it impossible to treat all aspects in a single volume. The handbook should therefore be seen as a broad introduction to enhancing parliamentary oversight of the security sector which - it is hoped - will encourage the reader to carry out further research. This publication can be ordered from the IPU Secretariat. Year of publication: 2003 Languages: Arabic (English, French, Spanish and Russian versions are out of print) Web Versions English (1,02 Mb), French (734 Kb), Spanish (830 Kb), Arabic (704 Kb) and Russian (854 Kb) Many other language versions are available on the DCAF website. HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS ELIMINATING THE WORST FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR: A Practical Guide to ILO Convention N° 182 This handbook offers an educational approach to this complex subject and to Convention N° 182, the cornerstone of international action to combat the worst forms of child labour. It provides examples of best practices and gives an overview of what parliamentarians can do to help eradicate the various forms of abuse to which child workers are exposed. It also proposes model instruments and reference material as aids designed to facilitate the work of legislators.   Year of publication: 2002 Languages: Initialy published in English and French, this publication is no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (556 Kb), French (561 Kb), and Spanish (438 Kb) HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS REFUGEE PROTECTION: A GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE LAW This handbook features a comprehensive and educational presentation of international refugee law and its development over the 50-year period following the adoption of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It gives an overview of the issues and explains what parliamentarians can do to help provide protection to refugees and displaced persons. It also proposes model instruments and reference materials to facilitate the work of legislators.   Year of publication: 2001 Languages: Initialy published in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Portugese this publication is no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (817 Kb), French (848 Kb), Russian (693 Kb) HANDBOOK FOR LEGISLATORS ON HIV/AIDS, LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS The Handbook provides examples of best legislative and regulatory practices gathered from around the world. Best practices are given for each of the twelve guidelines contained in the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights published in 1998 by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The Handbook presents concrete measures that legislators can take to protect human rights and promote public health in responding to the epidemic. The Handbook is the product of a growing partnership between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UNAIDS, which share a commitment to the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights as a value in itself, and as central to the achievement of their institutional goals and objectives.   Year of publication: 1999 Languages: Initially published in English and French, this publication is no longer available but can still be downloaded in PDF format. PDF versions English (506 Kb), French (560 Kb) HANDBOOK FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS RESPECT FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW This Handbook - the first in the series launched in 1999 - provides a very lively and educational introduction to international humanitarian law and an overview of what parliamentarians can do to ensure its respect. It also proposes model instruments and reference material as aids for parliaments acceding to international humanitarian law treaties and engaging in follow-up activities. Year of publication: 1999 Languages: Spanish (English, French, Arabic Russian and German versions are out of print)