Chapter 3 • The Major Regional Human Rights Instruments and the Mechanisms for Their Implementation 5. Concluding remarks This Chapter has provided some basic information about the rights protected by the major treaties existing in Africa, the Americas and Europe, and has also provided a general introduction to the regional monitoring mechanisms. These treaties have contributed to important changes in the laws of many countries, and, in view of the large number of States having ratified, acceded or adhered to them, they are also becoming particularly important for the work of judges, prosecutors and lawyers, who may have to apply them in the exercise of their professional duties. Many of the provisions of the general treaties have been extensively interpreted, inter alia with regard to the administration of justice and treatment of persons deprived of their liberty; and this case-law constitutes an important source of information and guidance for judges and lawyers. Human Rights in the Administration of Justice: A Manual on Human Rights for Judges, Prosecutors and Lawyers 111