Elements of a Human Rights-Based Approach

1. Elements of a Human Rights-Based Approach EQUITAS – International Centre for Human Rights Education – January 2014

2. “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.

3. HRBA 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

4. A bit of history ... ActionAid’s perspective “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.” Source: Action Aid

5. What is a human rights-based 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 • Viewsdevelopment as humandevelopment and socio-economicdevelopment • Emphasizesprocess and not onlyresults

6. The principles of HRBA • Direct links to human rights • Participation • Accountability • Non-discrimination and equality • Empowerment

7. Rights-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

8. The example of Tusonge

9. From needs to rights approach

10. Challenges • 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

11. How to implement HRBA – a five-step process • Contextanalysis in human-rightsterms • Identifyrights-holders and duty-bearers • Capacityanalysis (rights-holders and duty-bearers) • Identifyresults and indicators • Identify entry points Applyprinciplesat all stages

12. HRBA - 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?  Whohas to do something about it?  What do theyneed, to take action? Process and outcome are equally important

13. HRBA and change Process is guided by human rights principles Causal Analysis Role Analysis Capacity Gap Analysis Conclusions and recommendations from Univeral Periodic Review, Treaty Bodies, and Special Procedures help to identify specific behaviours and capacities RBM Impact: change in… Outcome: change in… Output: change in … HRBA …quality of life (the realization of human rights) … performance (behavioursof duty bearers and/or right holders and their institutions) …the capacity of duty bearers and right holders