Human Rights in UNDP

- in the context of the right to water and

sanitation

Louise Nylin Human rights and justice specialist Bucharest, 14 May 2008

UNDP’s niche in human rights*:

 Support to National Human Rights Institutions (Ombudsman Institutions)  Develop capacity to apply a Human Rights Based Approach to Programming  Engagement with the UN’s human rights machinery

* UNDP Human Rights Practice Note, 2005

What is a Human Rights Based Approach?

 A process that is normatively based on international HR standards and principles  Focuses on disadvantages, discrimination and marginalisation in the development process  It aims for the progressive achievement of all human rights  It recognizes human beings as rights-holders and establishes obligations for duty-bearers.

The UN common understanding on the HRBA

GOAL

1.

All programmes of development co-operation, policies and technical assistance should further the realization of human rights as laid down in the UDHR and other international human rights instruments.

PROCESS

2.

Human rights standards and principles guide all development cooperation and programming in all sectors and in all phases of the programming process.

Development cooperation contributes to the development of the capacities of ‘duty-bearers’ to meet their obligations and/or of ‘rights-holders’ to claim their rights.

GOAL

All programmes of development co-operation should further the realization of human rights as laid down in the UDHR and other international human rights instruments

Programming informed by Human Rights Mechanisms

UN Independent Expert on the Right to Water and Sanitation established in March 2008  Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures observations  Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures recommendations  Treaty Bodies General Comments General comment no 15 of ICESCR

PROCESS

Human rights standards and principles guide all development cooperation and programming in all sectors and in all phases of the programming process

Human Rights Principles



Universality and inalienability



Indivisibility



Interdependence and Inter-relatedness



Equality and non-discrimination



Participation and inclusion



Accountability and rule of law

…The integration of human rights principles and standards into all stages of the programming process… MONITORING AND EVALUATION ASSESSMENT & ANALYSIS PRIORITY SETTING IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME PLANNING AND DESIGN

OUTCOME

Development cooperation contributes to the development of the capacities of ‘duty bearers’ to meet their obligations and/ or of ‘rights-holders’ to claim their rights

Rights-holder and Duty-bearers

Right-holders:

6,653,467,548

  Every individual, either a man, woman or child, of any race, ethnic group or social condition To some extent groups

Duty-bearers: Much less

   Primarily States In some cases individuals have specific obligations Individuals and private entities have generic responsibilities towards the community to respect the rights of others

The role of Capacity Development

REALISATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT GOALS CLAIMING AND EXERCISING RIGHTS FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT CAPACITIES FOR EMPOWERMENT CAPACITIES FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Definition of the right to water and sanitation *

 Sufficient water  Clean water  Accessible water and sanitation  Affordable water and sanitation   Non-discrimination and inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups Access to information   Participation Accountability * General comment 15, Guidelines for the realization of the right to drinking water supply and sanitation, UN common understanding of the human rights based approach

Thank You!