Human rights principles
• Universality and
inalienability
• Indivisibility
• Interdependence and
interrelatedness
• Equality and nondiscrimination
• Participation and
inclusion
• Accountability and the
rule of law
Equality and non-discrimination
This principle requires …
• Eradication of legal, institutional, interpersonal and structural
discrimination
Programming implications:
• Legal framework should:
– Derogate discriminatory legislation
– Be conducive to the enjoyment of all human rights by all
• Public institutions should ensure:
– Representation of marginalized or excluded groups
– Services are accessible and sensitive to gender, age and cultural differences
– Appropriate judicial and administrative redress mechanisms
• Public policies should:
– Challenge model of appropriation and concentration of resources leading to
structural discrimination and exclusion
– Take affirmative steps
– Promote education and public awareness
Participation
This principle requires …
• Free, active, meaningful and inclusive participation
Programming implications:
• Policies, processes and procedures should provide:
– Opportunities for participation in planning and development
– Access to relevant information
– Capacities to marginalized groups to formulate proposals
• Institutional mechanisms should:
– Be based on democratic principles
– Not disempower existing democratic or traditional structure
• Civil society should:
– Be active, independent and with capacities
– Represent the voice of the marginalized and excluded groups
– Have control over decision making process
Accountability (1)
This principle requires …
• States and other duty bearers to be answerable for the
observance of human rights
Programming implications:
• State institutions should:
– Be provided with sufficient resources, responsibilities and
independent authority to effectively monitor the Government
– E.g., independent human rights parliamentary bodies, national
human rights institutions, judges, courts and legal counsel
• States to cooperate with international human rights systems:
– Complying timely with international reporting obligations
– Inviting Special Rapporteurs and providing information
– Implementing the TB/SP recommendations
Accountability (2)
This principle requires …
• Accessible, effective and independent mechanisms and
procedures of redress
Programming implications:
• Legal framework should:
– Be in conformity with human rights norms
– Establish conditions, procedures and mechanisms for rightsholders to claim their rights and duty-bearers to comply with their
obligations
• Public policies should:
– Take progressive steps to address the weakness in the
accountability systems
– Implement the human rights obligations of the State at a central,
regional and local levels
Accountablity (3)
This principle requires …
• Free and independent media, and groups of
human rights defenders representative of men,
women and marginalized or excluded groups
Programming implications:
• An active, rights-sensitive civil society should:
– Monitor the State compliance with its human rights
obligations
– Articulate concerns of the society and advocates for
social human rights mechanisms
• E.g. Campaign on access to retro-viral medication
in South Africa