Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Legislationline, a free-of-charge online legislative database, was created in 2002 to assist 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.

The activities involved in maintaining the database not only benefit lawmakers but 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.

Legislationline is available in English and in Russian.