Human Rights Based Approaches
A presentation from
HRBAP
 Rights Based Programming is a way of approaching
development that sets the achievement of human rights as
an objective of development.
 “short-term programme objectives in the context of
longer term goals
 seek to fundamentally change deeply rooted conditions
that perpetually undermine the full implementation of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)” (UNICEF,
2003).
 Based on the values, standards and principles captured in
the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and subsequent legally binding human rights
conventions/treaties. It not only defines the subjects of
development, but it also translates people’s needs into
rights, recognizing the human person as the active subject
and claim-holder
 identifies the duties and obligations of those against whom
a claim can be brought to ensure that needs are met.
 transformative potential of human rights to alleviate
injustice, inequality and poverty. Human rights are moral
norms, standards of accountability and weapons in the
struggle for social justice.
 A human rights-based approach constitutes a holistic framework
methodology with the potential to enrich operational strategies in
key focus areas (UNDP, 2001). It brings in legal tools and
institutions – laws, the judiciary and the rule of law principle - as
a means to secure freedoms and human development.
 A human rights-based approach is not only about expanding
people’s choices and capabilities but above all about the
empowerment of people to decide what this process of expansion
should look like (UNDP, 2001).
HRBAP
 It is further based on the recognition that real success in
tackling poverty and vulnerability requires giving the poor
and vulnerable a stake, a voice and real protection in the
societies where they live.
HRBAP
 Adopting a human rights-based approach may not
necessarily change what we do, but it will raise questions
about how we do it. As stated before, a human rightsbased approach provides both a vision of what
development should strive to achieve (to secure the
freedom, well-being and dignity of all people
everywhere), and a set of tools and essential references
(human rights standards and principles).
HRBAP
 Rights-based approach expresses development challenges not
in terms of human needs, or of developmental requirements,
but in terms of society’s obligations to respond to the
inalienable rights of individuals (Muchabaiwa, 2007).
Empowerment to influence development and to claim their
rights.
Approach is anchored on compassion, solidarity and a desire for
justice rather than benevolence.
underlying belief is that there cannot be human rights based
society without individuals who have internalized human
rights ethics, philosophy, and politics (Jonsson, 2003).
.
HRBAP
 Finally the Human Rights Based Approach to
programming aims at building the capacity of the
vulnerable community so that they can make an
assessment of their situation, be able to analyse why
there are in that state of situation and finally to propose
and take actions that address their specific problems
(The Triple A Process
HRBAP
 HRBAP vs Needs
Needs are met and satisfied Rights are realized, respected,
e.g. giving boreholes toilets protected, facilitated and
fulfilled e.g. decision making
on service level technology
,pricing
Needs do not imply duties
Rights imply correlative duties
or obligations although they or obligations
generate promises
Can be met by goal or
outcome strategies
Can be realized by attention to
outcome and process
Ranked in ahierachy of
priorities
Indivisable, interdependent
Charity or benevolence
Charity or benevolence does
not reflect duty or obligation
Key principles in HRAP
 Universality, non discrimination and dignity
 Key operational principles responsibility,
accountability,participation, transparency,empowerment and
sustainability
Key principles
 Indivisibility (all have equal status,inherent with dignity of each
person)
 Interdependence and interrelatedness (depends wholly or in part
on realization of other rights)
 Equality and non discrimination (all individuals are equal)
 Participation and inclusion (all are entitled to active, free and
meaningful participation)
 Empowerment (process in which peoples capacities to demand & use their
rights grows)
Key principles
 Accountability and the respect for the right of law (identify
rights holders and duty bearers. Rights based approaches
promotes the development of laws, institutions to ensure
fulfilment of entitlements.
Advantages of rights based approaches
§
The approach is anchored on solidarity, which
empowers people and enhances their capacity to improve
the quality of their lives while charity often disempowers the poor and the vulnerable
 Human rights programming entails the building of
community capacity for people to understand their
rights, to claim their rights, and to make meaningful
contribution to realizing these rights.
 Facilitating participation in societal decision-making is an
advantages
 Participation is an objective in itself. Participation of
women and children in decision making processes
strengthens ownership and gives the marginalized a voice
hence sustainability.
 Involving the marginalized in decision making processes
means the supposed beneficiaries guide the key
investment decisions. The more a community decides
what it wants for itself, the more it sees the system as its
own and is able to sustain the interventions.
 HRBAP implies a people centered approach to
development
§
advantages
 The HRBAP enhances transparency and accountability
by public officials and consequently leads to good
governance Furthermore, the approach emphasizes
accountability of those with duties or obligations and the
obligation must be constantly checked. This implies
monitoring and evaluating at all levels of the project or
programme.. It cuts on inefficiencies and adopts effective
approaches to programmes or projects
Thank you
Buzz groups
 Could you buzz with your partner and indicate how in
your respective organisations you have operationalized
CRC and CEDAW.
 How have these tow instruments provided and enabling
environment for your work
 What are the challenges that you are facing.
 In plenary present for half a minute