This manual, which presents information in an accessible question-and-answer format, is divided into three sections for ease of reference. The first section defines substantive rights such as survival, fair treatment, and empowerment. The second section provides practical guidelines on how to use regional and international human rights systems such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, or the UN Committee on Torture. The last section contains a comprehensive list of human rights documents with tables by country detailing the status and the stage in the implementation process of each of the conventions in each country.