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Human R ights ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH THE MDGs. Ignacio Saiz, Center for Economic and Social Rights IPC, London - 29 November 2011. Key points. Despite significant differences , MDG and HR commitments are mutually reinforcing
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Human Rights ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH THE MDGs Ignacio Saiz, CenterforEconomicand Social Rights IPC, London - 29 November 2011
Keypoints • Despitesignificantdifferences, MDG and HR commitments are mutuallyreinforcing • Human rights can helpbridgetheaccountabilitydeficit in theMDGs • Parliamentarianshave a critical role to play in ensuring HR accountabilitythroughtheMDGs
MDGsand HR: closeconvergence… • Sharedobjective– a multidimensional visionof human dignityandwell-being • MDGscoverrangeofeconomicand social rights • Accountabilityforprogress, even whereresourcesconstrained • Development as sharedresponsibility
….butsignificantdifferences HUMAN RIGHTS MDGS • Binding legal duties • Comprehensive, inter-relatedapproach • Equality as cornerstone • Accountabilityinfrastructure • Full realization as goal • Voluntarycommitments • Selective, fragmentedapproach • Overlookinequality • Weakmonitoringmechanisms • Unambitious targets
Fromgoalstorights • Align goals, targets andindicatorswithnormativecontentof human rights standards • Addressinequalitiesbetweengroupsandpossiblediscriminationunderlyingthem • Monitor policyeffortsandresourceallocations (as well as outcomes) throughthe lens of HR principles (egcoreobligations, non-discrimination, non-retrogression, participation) • Provideeffectiveaccountabilitymechanismsandenablepeopleto use themtoclaimtheirrights
Tacklingaccountabilitygaps • “Theshortfallshaveoccurrednotbecausethegoals are unreachableorbecause time istoo short. We are off coursebecauseofunmetcommitments, inadequateresourcesandlackoffocusandaccountability.” • UN-SG 2011 • Accountabiity as majorshortfall in MDG achievement • No consequencesattachedto non-fulfilment • “Mutual accountability” in practice a one-waystreet • Weakaccountabilityofdonors, IGOsandTNCs • Weakaccountabilitytocitizens at domesticlevel • Accountabilityis more thanmonitoring: answerability, enforcement, remedy
Fourpriorityways in whichparliaments can fostergreater HR accountability • Judicial accountability: Createlegislativeframeworktoenableadjudicationof ESC rightsclaims • Quasi-judicial accountability: strengthenoversight role ofNational Human Rights Institutions • Fiscal accountability: scrutinizebudgetsfrom a human rightsperspective • International accountability: ensurereportingtointernational HR bodies (UN treatybodies, UPR, regional) • Table debate about post-2015 framework, remedythegaps: - inequality, social protection, global policycoherence • Tocitizens: ensureciv/socparticipation, localize MDG
Eg MDG monitoring in Guatemala: comparing use of available resources
Understanding how inequalities intersect • 3 of every 4 women who die are indigenous. Ethnic disparities are wider than in other countries with large indigenous populations. • Women in Alta Vrapaz are 4 times as likely to die than women from Sacatepequez, near the capital
Linking disparities in outcome to discriminatory resource allocations