When the United Nations released the newly revamped United Nations Treaty Collection web site, it was immediately evident that efforts had been made to enhance user access. Foremost among the changes was the removal of the login requirement, making this authoritative collection of United Nations treaties and agreements freely accessible. The new site is well designed, pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate. The entire web site is available in English and French. The texts of treaties are available in English, French and the original language of deposit. All materials found in the treaty section are available electronically as well as in paper format. The site is updated daily ensuring its relevancy to followers of UN activity.
The site consists of three main databases: Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary General (MTDSG); United Nations Treaty Series (UNTS ); Monthly Statements of Treaties and International Agreements (MS ); plus supplemental material including an Overview, Training, Publications and Treaty events.
The home page offers users up to date information through a Frequently Accessed section, an Events section and a Recent Photograph section. Selections from the top menu bar lead to major components of the site and remain accessible from any point within the site. Once inside a component, a left menu bar reflects the options within the component and provides easy navigation to and from each of these options. These navigation tools are well thought out and the user is never stranded on a page.
The overview section provides users with a Reference Guide which includes a limited but practical definition section with a guide to keys terms used in the treaty collection, as well as a glossary of terms related to treaty actions. The FAQ section, a convenient sitemap, and feedback, policy and usage agreements complete the overview section. The usage agreement restricts the use of site content to personal, non‐commercial purposes only and is provided without warranty related to completeness or accuracy. The training and support materials provide legal and technical advice to treaty depositors. The MTDSG database comprises over 500 major multinational agreements, dating back to 1904, which have been deposited with the Secretary‐General. The status of each instrument is documented to reveal such events as the signing, ratification, objections raised or declarations related to the treaty. Certified true copies of these agreements are conveniently categorized by chapter and subject and available for download in PDF format. This section is updated daily in real‐time mode. Hard copy versions are published annually. A title list of multinational treaties is available in all official UN languages; Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Versions of recent texts are available in English, French and the languages of deposit. Surprisingly, copies of pre‐2001 conventions offered in Word Perfect format yielded broken links. The Reference‐Links option leads to a set of tables listing reservations, objections, and withdrawals for three major human rights conventions. Each item noted contains links to the text of the issue as well as linking directly to the database of conventions. This is a very useful feature, however, the PDF documents are not dated and require the user to check the Status of Treaties section to determine if newer motions have been filed (a note to this effect is listed on the webpage). Of lesser importance to many users are the Photographs of Treaty Actions. These photographs can be searched by date, participant, action, treaty reference number or by dignitary. At present this section contains photographs from 1999 onward. The Opening for Signatures section lists conventions currently open for signatures by states. Issues of the UN Journal since 2003 are also available for download.
The UNTS database contains over 158,000 treaties and international agreements registered or filed and recorded with the Secretariat since 1946 under Article 102 of the UN Charter. All treaties are available in PDF or print format. Search options to locate treaties are accessed by a tabbed menu bar. Options include search by popular name, title, participant, advanced search, full‐text search, and actions search. The popular name search option is a welcome addition and will be an extremely useful option for a majority of users. The secondary database for League of Nations treaties can be accessed using basic or advanced search options. A choice of attribute limiters provide enhanced searching. The UNTS cumulative index is arranged in alphabetical and chronological order and available in English and French. Indexes can be accessed by volume and issue or by full‐text searching.
The MS database contains a listing of all new items registered for that month. Part one provides information on new treaties while the annexes contain ratifications, subsequent agreements and related materials. An alphabetical index provides easy access by country and by topic. The French version follows the English content.
There are several instances where migration of older material is ongoing but these occurrences do not detract from the overall usefulness of this site. It is clear that usability has played a large part in the design considerations. The clean design, well organized structure, and ease of access belie the depth of the material contained within this site. This comprehensive electronic collection is an invaluable resource for all users ranging from the general public to academic researchers, although in many cases the breadth and complexity of information contained goes well beyond the needs of the casual user.
