Frequently Asked Questions on a Human Rights based Approach to Development Cooperation

March 2006

Following extensive internal consultations in OHCHR, as well as with development partners, OHCHR has finalised a publication entitled 'Frequently Asked Questions on a Human Rights Based Approach to Development Cooperation.' The publication is available in electronic form in English at the link:

http://www.ohchr.org/english/about/publications/docs/FAQ_en.pdf.

Hard copies are expected shortly, and translations into French, Spanish and Arabic should be at hand towards mid-2006.

The demand for this product emerged from a UN inter-agency meeting on human rights and development cooperation in Stamford, Connecticut, in 2003. The themes selected for discussion were drawn from OHCHR and inter-agency consultations. The publication is addressed principally to the needs of those working on human rights and development issues within the UN system, including in connection with Common Country Assessments (CCA), UN Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF) and poverty reduction strategies at the country level.

Part I is mainly conceptual in orientation, examining some commonly helped misconceptions about the nature of human rights obligations under international treaties. Part II discusses the relationship between human rights, development and poverty reduction at a conceptual level, and looks at how human rights principles can help resolve policy trade-offs and influence national budget processes. Sections III and IV focus more specifically on the meaning and practical application of what has come to be known as a 'human rights based approach' to development, tailored to UN programming tools and needs, respecting the conceptual integrity and functional importance of internationally recognised human rights. As indicated in the High Commissioner's foreword, a focus on internal institutional incentives and accountability systems must also be kept to the fore, if methodological advances in 'rights-based programming' are to have credibility and sustained impact.

The discussion for each selected question is necessarily brief and synthetic in nature, as are the practical illustrations given. Additional resources are listed following particular questions, along with a more extensive list of web-based references in Annex III, as a guide to further inquiries.
I hope that this publication is useful to those working with UN partners at country level. Any feedback would be welcome.