The Turn to Metrics

Abstract

Quantitative methods have played a limited role in human rights practice. Beyond the generation of events-based figures (e.g., numbers of persons tortured or evicted), some high profile but controversial measures such as the Freedom House index,1 or the monitoring of a few treaties containing quantitative commitments,2 the use of numerical data has been infrequent. Instead, qualitative methods have been dominant. Information is primarily sourced and reproduced from interviews with victims and alleged perpetuators, witness accounts, audio and video footage, official documents and media reports. With a focus on human rights violations affecting specific persons, places or events, these qualitative methods seem apposite in establishing the relevant facts and narratives that can be tested against human rights standards. Nonetheless, the field of human rights has not been immune from a global shift towards quantitative measurement in all fields of human activity. The community of activists, professionals, officials and scholars concerned with human rights has begun to explore ways in which different metrics can establish the denial of rights, reveal breaches of obligations and justify new laws or policies. This has been complemented by the use of quantitative methods in social science research and programme evaluation.3