Social Protection, the Millennium Development Goals and Human Rights (original) (raw)
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The Human Rights Approach to Social Protection
Dr. Magdalena Sepúlveda was from 2008- 2014 the United Nations Human Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights. The Special Rapporteur set out to elaborate and promote a human rights framework for social protection, identifying best practices and disseminating lessons learned. Her approach involves the application of the central human rights principles of the human rights framework - equality and non-discrimination (including accessibility, acceptability, affordability and the incorporation of the gender perspective), participation, transparency and accountability - to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of social protection systems. In this publication Dr. Sepúlveda and her assistant Ms. Carly Nyst have synthesised the key findings and recommendations from the following reports of the Special Rapporteur to the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly: 1) Human rights and cash transfer programmes; 2) The role of social protection in the face of the global financial crisis; 3) A human rights framework for non-contributory pensions; 4) The importance of social protection measures in achieving the MDGs, with a particular focus on gender-related concerns; and 5) The human rights approach to recovery from the global economic and financial crises. The publication also draws from the Special Rapporteur's country reports on Ecuador, Zambia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ireland, Timor-Leste and Paraguay. The publication contains a Foreword by Finland's Minister for International Development, Ms. Heidi Hautala.
Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals: A Pathway to Fulfill the Compulsion of Human Rights
ELCOP Yearbook of Human Rights 2018: Human Rights and Digital Age, 2018
The catchphrase of Sustainable Development Goals 'Leave no one behind' is a symbol of hope and aspiration in attaining justice against inequality, discrimination, expulsion and sufferings. This paper intends to show the in-depth connection between sustainable development goals and human rights. Human rights deal with the right of the individuals whereas, the SDGs work with the establishment of such rights in a collective manner. Therefore, this paper also advocates that in order to fulfill the commitment of establishing human rights, SDGs will show the pathway in a easier way to achieve them. Human rights have emerged as a major theme from the UN-led process and debate to set a 2030 development agenda. The perspective of peace and security, good governance, rule of law and gender equality are of a particular importance in setting the future targets and goals which are also relevant with the human rights agenda in different international and regional treaties. It is essential to include in the 2030 development agenda a requirement for national governments and international stakeholders to frame their apaproach to economic and social development with clear commitments to with time realization of human rights for mankind and with strengthened systems of participation, transparency and accountability. The human rights commitments should include plans for improving gender equality, health, education, nutrition, good governance, water and sanitation, land and housing.
2014
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph, film or any other means, without permission in writing from the author. 4 | Conclusion appendix 1 Overview of social protection approaches of a selection of Belgian NGOs Bibliography 2 | Overview of key conceptual frameworks on social protection 2.1 Concept of social protection: unity in diversity? Overall, people are confronted with a multitude of risks that can compromise their livelihood and level of well-being. Some of these risks can be covered by social protection systems. For example birth, death, work (loss of work, occupational injuries or diseases), and health are common areas of risks. In low-income countries, households are in addition very sensitive to climate-related issues: floods or droughts, and climate change directly affect their level of revenue and their well-being. Key definitions Social protection can be defined as the set of all initiatives, both formal and informal, that provide social assistance to extremely poor individuals and households; social services to groups who need special care or would otherwise be denied access to basic services; social insurance to protect people against the risks and consequences of livelihood shocks; and social equity to protect people against social risks such as discrimination or abuse. Highlights Inclusiveness and the transformative function of social protection are key principles of social protection frameworks. The universalistic approach could foster economic and social inclusion but this approach is often not put in practice for normative or budget-related reasons. Current social protection interventions tend to compartmentalise the society, and consequently undermine social cohesion instead of fostering it. Moreover certain social protection measures do not tackle the structural drivers of poverty and inequalities and do not contribute to the social transformation that is needed to achieve more equitable societies. Highlights The right to social security is recognised in human rights regulations and promoted by several international organisations and donor countries. Recognizing social protection as a right has important consequences: it obliges governments or international organisations to translate it in entitlements and standards and to commit to their effective delivery. Some popular methods (e.g. targeting) and instruments (e.g. conditional cash transfers) which have been championed on the basis of pragmatic considerations and financial arguments, can be problematized from a right-based approach. The main critiques are that they can lead to the exclusion or stigmatisation of certain groups or individuals, or impose discriminating conditions to obtain the right for social protection, and in some cases display a rather paternalist attitude towards vulnerable groups.
2014
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph, film or any other means, without permission in writing from the author. 4 | Conclusion appendix 1 Overview of social protection approaches of a selection of Belgian NGOs Bibliography 2 | Overview of key conceptual frameworks on social protection 2.1 Concept of social protection: unity in diversity? Overall, people are confronted with a multitude of risks that can compromise their livelihood and level of well-being. Some of these risks can be covered by social protection systems. For example birth, death, work (loss of work, occupational injuries or diseases), and health are common areas of risks. In low-income countries, households are in addition very sensitive to climate-related issues: floods or droughts, and climate change directly affect their level of revenue and their well-being. Key definitions Social protection can be defined as the set of all initiatives, both formal and informal, that provide social assistance to extremely poor individuals and households; social services to groups who need special care or would otherwise be denied access to basic services; social insurance to protect people against the risks and consequences of livelihood shocks; and social equity to protect people against social risks such as discrimination or abuse. Highlights Inclusiveness and the transformative function of social protection are key principles of social protection frameworks. The universalistic approach could foster economic and social inclusion but this approach is often not put in practice for normative or budget-related reasons. Current social protection interventions tend to compartmentalise the society, and consequently undermine social cohesion instead of fostering it. Moreover certain social protection measures do not tackle the structural drivers of poverty and inequalities and do not contribute to the social transformation that is needed to achieve more equitable societies. Highlights The right to social security is recognised in human rights regulations and promoted by several international organisations and donor countries. Recognizing social protection as a right has important consequences: it obliges governments or international organisations to translate it in entitlements and standards and to commit to their effective delivery. Some popular methods (e.g. targeting) and instruments (e.g. conditional cash transfers) which have been championed on the basis of pragmatic considerations and financial arguments, can be problematized from a right-based approach. The main critiques are that they can lead to the exclusion or stigmatisation of certain groups or individuals, or impose discriminating conditions to obtain the right for social protection, and in some cases display a rather paternalist attitude towards vulnerable groups.
International Public Policy -MDGs and Human Rights
Dr.Amira Koraiem, 2012
This paper will begin by giving a brief background information of what is entailed under the term "human rights" as well as what exactly are the "Millennium Development Goals" (MDGs). It will move on to explaining through an analytical framework not just why these two concepts are aligned and reinforced but also why at the same time these two show conflicting issues with each other. In order to do so, each one of the millennium development goals will be taken and broken down. In view of this analysis, a hypothesis will be stated regarding future United Nations (UN) Human Rights commitments that could apply in order to have a much more aligned Human Rights approach within the MDGs.
The Millennium Development Goals and Human Rights: Realizing Shared Commitments
Human Rights Quarterly, 2012
Every preventable death poses a challenge to health, development, and human rights initiatives. Although the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) prioritize reducing maternal and child mortality, progress is unequal and the sustainability of related efforts beyond 2015 is a concern. Strategies that link the MDGs and human rights would facilitate more comprehensive, equitable, and sustainable progress in health and development. Strategies include: ensuring entitlements that link human rights provisions with laws and resources; building capacities for different contexts and challenges; promoting integration and innovation to catalyze progress; combating inequality and discrimination; committing to accountability for resources and results; and emphasizing sustainability.
Assessing the sustainable development goals from a human rights perspective
Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 2016
Though they improve upon the millennium development goals (MDGs), the new sustainable development goals (SDGs) have important draw-backs. First, in assessing present deprivations, they draw our attention to historical comparisons. Yet, that things were even worse before is morally irrelevant; what matters is how much better things could be now. Second, like the MDGs, the SDGs fail to specify any division of labor to ensure success. Therefore, should progress stall, we won't know who is responsible to get us back on track. We won't “end poverty in all its forms everywhere” without an agreement on who is to do what. Third, although the SDGs contain a goal calling for inequality reduction, this goal is specified so that the reduction need not start till 2029. Such delay would cause enormous death and suffering among the poor and enable the rich to shape national and supranational design in their own favor.
Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals - Pursuing Synergies
If the 2030 Agenda is to be realised in a way that truly does ‘leave no one behind,’ then human rights obligations and commitments must be applied, implemented and protected by all UN member States. Similarly, the full enjoyment of all human rights will only be possible in the context of worldwide progress with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and Targets, including the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions. As the UN Secretary-General himself remarked during his recent address to this Council: 'human rights, including the right to development, lie at the core of the 2030 Agenda;' while - seen the other way around – the 2030 Agenda provides States with “an ideal platform to demonstrate their commitment to all human rights.' Human rights and the 2030 Agenda Human rights lie at the core of the 2030 Agenda. The Agenda envisages a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; of respect for race, sex, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realisation of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity; a just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met. Yet, thus far, the main body responsible for human rights at the UN, the Human Rights Council, has paid only ad hoc attention to understanding and strengthening the human rights pillar’s contribution to the implementation of the SDGs in all countries. That is important, because, simply put, without the support of the international human rights system, and without the strengthened enjoyment of human rights on the ground, it will not be possible to fulfil the promise of the SDGs to ‘leave no one behind.’ Against this background, in late 2016 a group of States, in consultation with interested NGOs, including the Universal Rights Group and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, set up a Group of Friends to consider and guide the UN human rights system’s support for the SDGs. The Permanent Missions of Azerbaijan, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Luxembourg, Portugal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Thailand, and Uruguay, with the support of the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Universal Rights Group, are delighted to launch, an important new report on: ‘Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals – Pursuing Synergies.’ The report provides a summary of an open-ended meeting held on 29 June this year in Satigny, Switzerland, which considered how to leverage the interdependent and mutually reinforcing nature of human rights and sustainable development. The Satigny meeting gathered more than 130 people, including high-level representatives and delegates from Geneva permanent missions, government institutions, UN agencies, national human rights institutions, and civil society. As well as providing a summary of that meeting, the report also offers several conclusions and possible next steps. It seeks to ‘unpack’ the issues related to the convergence of the human rights agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in order to contribute to the realisation of both agendas in a integrated and mutually reinforcing manner.
Reflections on human rights approaches to implementing the Millennium Development Goals
Sur. Revista Internacional De Direitos Humanos, 2005
This article discusses the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, characterizing the gap between human rights and development approaches. It offers a new interpretation for public interest law litigation and budget analysis, requiring closer cooperation between human rights lawyers and development organizations. It urges the adoption of a strategy that articulate a participatory collaboration between government and civil society organizations, including national plans geared to specific aspects of the Millennium Goals-e.g. reduction of poverty-in which a leading role is ascribed to "national councils". Finally, an appeal is made for the inclusion of refugees and other forced migrants as some of the most marginalized populations that are often excluded from these concerns. [Original article in English.]