The origins of the Human Rights Institute of South Africa lie in the institution of the Commission of Inquiry regarding the Prevention of Public Violence and Intimidation , commonly known as the Goldstone Commission. It set up a reference library and started a database on incidents of and documentation relating to public violence and intimidation. It also aims to raise awareness of human rights issues through focused research, the media and public events. The Research Department produces publications based on information collected by other organisations. The databases provide research material for national and international researchers.
Information is added to existing databases and new databases are created on a continuous basis.
Alternatively, staff will undertake searches in the databases in response to specific requests by telephone, telefax and email. The Institute has an advanced and powerful capacity for handling analytical textual information through the use of scanning and free text programmes.