Human rights

Donor and NGO policies

Donors understandings and approaches to human rights vary, although they often have core themes and principles in common. The policies range from rights-based approaches emphasising power and participation, to rights associated with democracy and the rule of law, to approaches that use rights implicitly, or only accept civil and political rights. For more information on DFID’s human rights policy, please see 'UK government human rights policy commitments'

UNDP, 2007, ‘Human Rights and the Millennium Development Goals: Making the Link’, UNDP, New York
While policies of aid agencies increasingly emphasise the connection between human rights and development, in practice the concepts often remain on separate, parallel tracks. This paper provides guidance for development practitioners to link human rights with the design and implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The human rights framework can help achieve the MDGs in an equitable, just and sustainable manner and ground development work within a universal set of values.
Access full text: available online

Page contents

Multilateral Donors 

UNDP

• The HURIST (Human Rights Strengthening) programme is a joint programme of UNDP and OHCHR supporting the implementation of UNDP's policy on human rights.

UNDP, 2000, 'Human Development Report: Human Rights and Human Development', United Nations Development Programme, New York
The 2000 Human Development Report is perhaps the best starting point on rights and development. It provides a sustained argument that human rights and human development are mutually reinforcing, referring to specific human rights treaties.
Full text: available online

UNDP, 2005, ‘Human Rights in UNDP: Practice Note’, UNDP, New York
How should the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implement its policy of integrating human rights with human development? This Note draws on experience to suggest approaches to interventions and outlines possibilities in different stages of the planning cycle. It emphasises the importance of partnerships with other actors, and that human rights are the responsibility of every staff member.
Access full text: available online

UNICEF

• Rights and results: UNICEF uses human rights, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), as a basis for programming.

UNICEF, 2007, ‘Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child’ (Revised Third Edition), UNICEF, New York
Full text: available online

World Bank

• The World Bank's website on social development has sections on empowerment, social inclusion and social action.

World Bank, 'Empowerment and Poverty Reduction: A Sourcebook' , World Bank, Washington DC
Access full text: available online

The World Bank’s engagement with human rights has been subject to a degree of controversy due to its policy of non-political engagement with recipient countries. Historically this has meant that they have avoided expanding their activities into what is seen as human rights territory. In the last decade the World Bank has however made inroads into what has traditionally been considered the ‘political’ side of international development due to an explicit embracing of the ‘good governance’ agenda.

Brodnig, G., 2005, ‘The World Bank and Human Rights: Mission Impossible?’, Policy Working Paper, Carr Center for Human Rights, Cambridge, MA
Access full text: available online

Bilateral donors

AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development)

• Web page on human rights

AusAid, 2001, 'Putting Things to Rights: The Use of Foreign Aid to Advance Human Rights in Developing Nations', submission to the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, February
Access full text: available online 

CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency)

CIDA, 1996, 'Policy for CIDA on Human Rights, Democratization and Good Governance', Canadian International Development Agency, Quebec
Access full text: available online

Danida (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark)

• Webpage on human rights and democracy

Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Human rights policies  

NZAID (New Zealand's International Aid and Development Agency)

• Web page on human rights

NZAID, 2002, 'Human Rights Policy Statement', New Zealand's International Aid and Development Agency, Wellington
Access full text: available online

NZAID, 2003, ‘Human Rights Implementation Plan of Action 2004-2009, New Zealand's International Aid and Development Agency, Wellington
Access full text: available online

SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)

• Webpage and resources on human rights

SDC, 2004, 'Integrating Human Rights and Poverty Reduction: Towards a Human Rights-Based Approach for SDC', Working Paper, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Berne
Access full text: available online.

SDC, 2006, ‘SDC’S Human Rights Policy: Towards a Life of Dignity – Realising Rights for Poor People’, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation/Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Berne
Access full text: available online.

SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency)

• Web page on human rights and democracy

SIDA, 2001, 'A Democracy and Human Rights-Based Approach to Development Cooperation', Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Stockholm
Access full text: available online

USAID (United States Agency for International Development)

USAID’s last articulation of its position on human rights is laid out in its Governance and Democracy framework.

USAID, 2005, ‘At Freedom’s Frontiers: A Governance and Democracy Strategic Framework’, USAID, Washington D.C.
Access full text: available online

International NGOs

This section presents links to selected international NGOs that emphasise human rights or rights-based approaches in their development programmes. Where the NGO provides online information about their rights policies, the direct link to the webpage is provided.

• ActionAid
• CARE
• Oxfam
• Save the Children
• The Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) website also provides a wide range of documents on human rights and rights-based approaches to development in practice, drawn from various NGOs.

New additions