Human Rights-Based Approach in
the Programming Process
Session 4
Session objectives
Understand what a human rights-based
approach to programming is
Understand the importance and added value
of HRBA to development programming
Understand the main implications of applying
a human rights-based approach to UN
common programming
Why a human rights-based
approach to development?
Normative value
• universal legal standards for a life with dignity
Instrumental value
• Contributes to more sustainable development outcomes
• Ensures a higher quality of the process
• Clarifies the purpose of capacity development
Institutional reasons (UN comparative advantage)
• impartiality to deal with sensitive issues
• holistic analysis and integral responses to problems
UN Common Understanding on HRBA
GOAL 1.
PROCESS
2.
All programmes of development co-operation, policies and
technical assistance should further the realization of human
rights as laid down in the UDHR and other international human
rights instruments
Human rights standards and principles guide all development
cooperation and programming in all sectors and in all phases
of the programming process
OUTCOME
3.
Development cooperation contributes to the development of
the capacities of ‘duty-bearers’ to meet their obligations and/or
of ‘rights-holders’ to claim their rights
Rights-holder and Duty-bearers
Right-holders:
Duty-bearers:
7.095.306.380 personas (aprox.)
Much less
 Every individual, either a man
woman or child, of any race,
ethnic group or social condition
 To some extent groups : e.g.
Indigenous Peoples
 Primarily States
 In some cases individuals
have specific obligations
 Individuals and private entities
have generic responsibilities
towards the community to
respect the rights of others
 Development partners
HRBA Basics … the Duty-Bearer/
Rights-Holder relationship
Integration of human rights principles and
standards into all stages of the programming
process
Road Map
- Preparation process of
the UNDAF
Country Analysis
Monitoring &
Evaluation
Programme
Planning &
Implementation
(Agency or Multi-Agency
Joint Programmes)
- Review existing
analysis (assessment)
- UNCT supported
analysis
- Identify UNCT
comparative
advantages
Strategic
Planning
- Strategic priorities for
UNDAF/ UNDAF Action
Plan
Human Rights Standards
The minimum normative
content of the right:
the type of claims and
obligations that the right
implies at the minimum in
practice
In programming, the standards
guide the…
…Identification of development
challenges as human rights
issues (Assessment)
…analysis of roles and capacities of
rights-holders and duty bearers
…definition of development
objectives
…formulation of corresponding
benchmarks and indicators
Human rights obligations
Duty-bearers
Right to water
Respect
Do not disconnect supply
without due process
Refrain from
interfering with
the enjoyment of
rights
Protect
Pro-poor price regulation when
supply is privatized
Prevent others from
interfering with the
enjoyment of rights
Fulfill
Ensure, over time, everyone
is connected
Adopt
appropriate
measures
towards full
realization of
rights
Human Rights Principles
• Universality and
inalienability
• Indivisibility
• Interdependence and Interrelatedness
• Equality and nondiscrimination
• Participation and inclusion
• Accountability and rule of
law
Group Exercise
Exercise: Human Rights Principles
• Equality and non-discrimination
• Participation and Inclusion
• Accountability and the Rule of Law
Unpack the meaning of the Principles (6 groups)
• Develop maximum 3 questions to address the unpacked
content of the principles in a manner that can be used while
devising a program
HR standards and principles
Human Rights
Standards…
...define
the…
Human Rights
principles
define the rules
of the game
…limits of the…
…Playing field.
In conclusion:
4 Critical questions
A HRBA helps the UN and partners to answer 4
critical questions:
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