Elements of a Human Rights-Based ApproachElements of a Human Rights-Based Approach

EQUITAS – International Centre for Human Rights Education – January 2014EQUITAS – International Centre for Human Rights Education – January 2014

“We will not enjoy development without security, we will not enjoy security without development, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights. Unless all these causes are advanced, none will succeed.”

Kofi Annan“In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights For All”, Report of the United Nations Secretary General, May 2005.

HRBA and CSO effectivenessHRBA and CSO effectiveness

“CSOs are effective as development actors when they develop and implement strategies, activities and practices that promote individual and collective human rights, including the right to development, with dignity, decent work, social justice and equity for all people.” Istanbul Principle No. 1

“The primary impetus for changing our approach was recognising that poverty is a violation of human rights.

Poverty arises principally because human rights have been denied. If we want to end poverty it is necessary to protect,

promote and fulfill the human rights of people living in poverty. We see people living in poverty as the leading agents in their development process and in challenging unequal power and

injustice.”

A bit of history ... ActionAid’s A bit of history ... ActionAid’s perspectiveperspective

Source: Action Aid

What is a human rights-based What is a human rights-based approach? approach? • A conceptual framework that equates development to the

realization of all human rights for all• Based on international human rights standards and

operationally directed to promoting and protecting human rights

• Views development as human development and socio-economic development

• Emphasizes process and not only results

The principles of HRBAThe principles of HRBA

• Direct links to human rights• Participation• Accountability• Non-discrimination and equality• Empowerment

Rights-holders and duty-bearersRights-holders and duty-bearers

A rights-holder:• is entitled to rights• is entitled to claim rights• is entitled to hold the duty-bearer accountable• has a responsibility to respect the rights of

others

A duty-bearer:• has the obligation to respect, protect, and

fulfill the rights of the rights-holders

The example of TusongeThe example of Tusonge

From needs to rights approachFrom needs to rights approach

Charity Approach

Needs Approach

Empowerment Approach

Rights-based Approach

‘Giving to people’

‘Development for people’

“Development with people’

‘Development by people’

ChallengesChallenges

• Lack of capacity and expertise to work with human rights concepts

• Lack of resources and support to integrate HRBA

• Resistance from target populations and their societies

• Difficulty identifying and working with local partners and building real participation

How to implement HRBA – How to implement HRBA – a five-step processa five-step process• Context analysis in human-rights terms• Identify rights-holders and duty-bearers• Capacity analysis (rights-holders and duty-

bearers)• Identify results and indicators• Identify entry points

Apply principles at all stages

HRBA - defining resultsHRBA - defining results

HRBA helps to answer four critical questions:Who - Whose life do we want to change?

Who has been left behind ?Why? Which rights are at stake? Who has to do something about it? What do they need, to take action?

Process and outcome are equally important

RBMImpact: change in…

Outcome: change in…

Output: change in …

HRBA…quality of life (the realization

of human rights)

… performance (behaviours of duty bearers and/or right holders and their institutions)

…the capacity of duty bearers and right holders

Process is guided by human rights principles

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Ro

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Cap

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HRBA and HRBA and cchangehange

Conclusions and recommendations from Univeral Periodic Review, Treaty Bodies, and Special Procedures help to identify

specific behaviours and capacities