Human rights monitoring means bringing human rights violations to light. Monitoring provides objective, well-supported information about the human rights practices of governments, businesses, private groups and organizations in order to provide a basis for advocacy and future protection of human rights.

Building on our practice of using traditional human rights monitoring methods to address cutting-edge human rights issues, The Advocates for Human Rights undertakes human rights monitoring projects of significance to local and international communities.

With the help of hundreds of volunteers, The Advocates has monitored human rights conditions and produced more than 75 reports documenting human rights practices in more than 25 countries.

We have produced many useful tools for human rights defenders, including Paving Pathways for Justice & Accountability: Human Rights Tools for Diaspora Communities. Published by The Advocates in January 2014, Paving Pathways is a how-to guide with a full menu of strategies and resources to empower migrants to be effective advocates for human rights in their countries of origin. The goal is to facilitate the inclusion of diaspora voices in efforts to hold governments accountable. "The unique ability diaspora communities have to improve human rights around the world has been largely overlooked," said Jennifer Prestholdt, The Advocates' deputy director and director of the organization's International Justice Program. "It's time for that to change."