Abbreviations. Introduction. The monitoring of human rights and the prevention of human rights violations through reporting procedures; V. Dimitrijevic. The efficiency of individual complaint procedures: the experience of CCPR, CERD, CAT and ECHR; R. Mullerson. Monitoring the CSCE Human Dimension: in search of its effectiveness; A. Bloed. A comparative study of the monitoring mechanisms and the important institutional frameworks for human rights protection with the Council of Europe, the CSCE and the European Community; M. Pentikainen, M. Scheinin. The contribution of NGOs to the monitoring and protection of human rights in Europe: an analysis of the role and access of NGOs to the intergovernmental organisations; R. Brett. International mechanisms for the prevention of torture; M. Nowak, W. Suntinger. International mechanisms for the monitoring and the protection of minority rights: their advantages, disadvantages and interrelationships; G. Alfredsson, D. Turk. Future protection of economic and social rights in Europe; A. Eide. International monitoring mechanisms in situations of armed conflict; A. Rosas. The collective responsibility of states to ensure respect for humanitarian principles; L. de Boisson de Chazournes. From Nuremburg to the Balkans: the international war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; N. Howen. Case study on the former Yugoslavia: the international mechanisms, their efficiency and failures; R. Wieruszewski. General conclusions and recommendations. Index.