http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/64/36%20(SUPP)

Annual report to the General Assembly on the work of the office. Covers the Human Rights Council, Human Rights treaty bodies, and work in various countries and on various topics, including migration and trafficking, climate change and rights, and women's rights and gender work. From the United Nations.

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/torture_archive/comparison.htm

Offers parallel views of the CIA Inspector General's Report on Detention and Interrogation Activities, which was prepared in May 2004, released in part by the Bush Administration in May 2008, and then in somewhat fuller form by the Obama Administration in August 2009. From the National Security Archive at George Washington University.

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40750_20090807.pdf

Subtitled: Issues in the U.S. Ratification Debate. CEDAW is the only international human rights treaty that specifically addresses the rights of women. It calls on nations to eliminate discrimination against women in all areas of life. It has been ratified by 186 nations. The U.S. is the only nation to sign but not ratify the Convention. Opponents have argued that it will undermine U.S. sovereignty. This report provides an overview of the Convention, its background, objectives, and structure, and the U.S. policy debate. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

http://luxmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o10/clients/aclu/IG_Report.pdf

Heavily censored release of the May 2004 report of the Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency on the so-called enhanced interrogation tactics and the legality and effectiveness of the tactics, released under court order in a suit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union. From the ACLU.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200809/jtselect/jtrights/152/152.pdf

Covers allegations of torture involving the United Kingdom, defines six ways in which a state may be complicit in torture, and calls upon the government to improve the system of accountability for intelligence and security services. From the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the House of Lords and House of Commons.

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34729_20090713.pdf

This report analyzes China's mixed record on human rights incuding major human rights problems, new human rights legislation, and the development of civil society, legal awareness, and social and political activism. Also discusses U.S. efforts to advance human rights in China. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33608_20080731.pdf

Examines the creation of the Human Rights Council as a replacement for the previous Commission on Human Rights, the reforms that were to be reflected in the Council, the work of the Council since its creation, and U.S. objections to that work. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/documents/preliminary-rpt-dptf-072009.pdf

Presents interim findings on two matters relating to the use of military commissions and decisions about criteria for determining when cases should be tried by a military commission rather than a federal court. A range of other issues relating to detention policies, how to reconcile intelligence gathering efforts with detention policies, and how international law will be applied to cases of war and terrorism are left to a final report in the future. From the Justice and Defense Departments.

http://grants.nih.gov/stem_cells/web_listing.htm

Offers the comments (some 49,000) received in response to the publication of draft stem cell guidelines for public comment in the Federal Register of April 23, 2009. From the National Institutes of Health.

http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines.htm

Revised final rules which establish policy under which the federal government will fund stem cell research. Also presents response by federal officials to summary of 49,000 public comments received on the proposed rules. From the National Institutes of Health

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL32045_20090622.pdf

Describes changes in the approach of the Obama Administration toward Iran, and discusses the stability of the current regime following the disputed elections of June 2009, issues of human rights and dissent, Iran's strategic capabilities and WMD programs, and its relations with other states and terrorist groups. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.