Legislationline, a free of charge online legislative database, was created in 2002 to assist Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) participating States in bringing their legislation into line with relevant international human rights standards.

The database was designed as a drafting tool for lawmakers, not simply as an archive of domestic or international legislation. Its purpose is to provide assistance to those who prepare and draft laws at the working level. Through Legislationline, they can obtain examples and options from other countries’ legislation that can help them make their own choices. Statistics show that it is being consulted by users from the whole OSCE region. A Russian interface of the database can be accessed from the homepage.

You can search by topic (left-hand sidebar on the home page): Administrative Justice, Anti-Discrimination, Citizenship, Elections, Counter-Terrorism, Gender, Migration, Police, Trafficking in Human Beings, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Association, Access to Information and Data Protection, Death Penalty, Prison Service (in progress), Fair Trial (Right to a), Independence of the Judiciary, Hate Crimes, Freedom of Religion, National Human Rights Institutions.

You can also search the list of countries (roll-down menu in the left hand sidebar on the home page). There is a also a list of Constitutions (accessible by clicking on the red box at the top right on the home page), many of which are in more than one language, and a list of Criminal Codes (also accessible at the top right).

“The activities involved in maintaining the database also permit ODIHR experts to observe patterns in legislative activity, identify best practices, and monitor the application of international standards.”

“As a reference tool for a variety of users (primarily law drafters, legal professionals, government officials, parliamentary staff, and legal specialists in international organizations), it is the most comprehensive database on legislation related to issues such as human trafficking, elections, and citizenship.”

And now translators too! 🙂