GSDRC newsfeed on Human rights

Applying a Rights-based Approach: An Inspirational Guide for Civil Society

Jakob Kirkemann Boesen and Tomas Martin — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

With its focus on law and the root causes of poverty, the rights-based approach (RBA) releases a new transformative potential for development. This guide provides practical methods for the integration of the RBA into programmes implemented by smaller civil society organisations (CSOs) in poor countries. While it is not a panacea, the RBA has the potential to bring people whose rights are denied by poverty to the centre of development analyses and implementation.

Introduction: Negotiating Empowerment

Andrea Cornwall and Jenny Edwards — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Why are conventional interventions that seek to promote women�s empowerment insufficient? This article highlights the choices, negotiations, narratives, and context of women�s lived experience. It finds that empowerment is a complex process of negotiation rather than a linear sequence of inputs and outcomes. Governments and development agencies need to give more consideration to the structures perpetuating gender inequality. They should invest in creating an enabling environment for women�s empowerment, and should support those who are tackling deeply rooted issues of power impeding transformative change.

Enforcement Models: Content and Context

Laura Neuman — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Access to information (ATI) rights are only meaningful if they are both enforceable and enforced. What are the different enforcement models for ATI laws, and what determines success? This World Bank paper draws on case studies to consider the three main ATI enforcement models: (1) judicial proceedings; (2) an information commission(er) or appeals tribunal with the power to issue binding orders; and (3) an information commissioner or ombudsman with the power to make recommendations. While there is no 'one size fits all' system, principles of independence, accessibility, affordability, timeliness and specialisation are paramount.

Struggles for Freedom of Information in Africa

Colin Darch and Peter Underwood — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

How far have rights to information progressed in Africa? The conditions that make information access rights both important and hard to implement are seen in their most extreme forms in Africa. This chapter from the book Freedom of Information and the Developing World presents case studies from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa. The advance of information rights in Africa has been limited. However, low-key activity indicates that some awareness exists. Further, if any resistance to the state is arguably a struggle over information, then it is important to listen for 'stifled voices of protest'.

The Right to Information and Societal Accountability: The Case of the Delhi PDS Campaign

Suchi Pande — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To what extent can tools like the Right to Information (RTI) help ensure transparency and accountability? This article from the IDS Bulletin draws on the example of Parivartan, a Delhi-based citizens� group working on issues of corruption and accountability. This group has used the RTI to mobilise poor people and has used information to generate awareness through the media, holding government to account. The combination of a dedicated grassroots activist organisation and a RTI Act was necessary for achieving successful accountability.

Indigenous Inclusion/Black Exclusion: Race, Ethnicity and Multicultural Citizenship in Latin America

Juliet Hooker — Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Why is the landscape of citizenship so uneven across Latin America? Latin America exhibits high degrees of racial inequality and discrimination against Afro-Latinos and indigenous populations, despite constitutional and statutory measures prohibiting racial discrimination. The multicultural reforms of the 1980s and 1990s which brought many collective rights to indigenous groups have not, however, had the same impact on Afro-Latinos. This article from the Journal of Latin American Studies examines the region's multicultural citizenship regimes, and finds an emphasis on cultural difference or ethnic identity over race which disadvantages Afro-Latinos.

Human Rights and Private Sector Development: A Discussion Paper

Heather Gibb, John Foster, Ann Weston — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can development organisations integrate a rights-based approach (RBA) into private sector development (PSD) initiatives? While RBAs have historically been part of the good governance agenda, donor agencies have recently been exploring the possibilities for integrating human rights principles into economic development. This study by The North-South Institute is based on the premise that development cooperation activities should promote human rights, and that human rights can promote development. It suggests that future research needs to bring together the experiences of donor agencies, financial institutions and NGOs who have attempted to integrate rights with PSD. The role of the state and of transnational corporations in rights-based PSD needs to be more clearly defined.

Do Rights Promote Development?

Jean Grugel, Nicola Piper — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How do human rights impact on development? Are rights-based agendas useful for addressing issues of social and economic exclusion experienced by the poor? This article from Global Social Policy suggests that while the promotion of rights has become intertwined with development, the evidence of their effect on development policy is mixed. Many rights are difficult to put onto the agenda of states. Other arguments for development and justice are therefore also required, alongside sustained theoretical reflection on and engagement with the state.

Inequality and Human Rights: Who Controls What, When, and How

Todd Landman, Marco Larizza — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Are countries with resource distribution inequalities more likely to suffer from higher levels of human rights abuse? This article from the International Studies Quarterly analyses data from 162 countries over the period from 1980 to 2004. The results suggest that both income and land inequalities significantly contribute to human rights abuses.

Harmful Traditional Practices in Three Countries of South Asia: Culture, Human Rights and Violence against Women

UNESCAP-Social Development Division — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How can research, advocacy, and legal reform reverse social acceptance of practices that violate the human rights of women and girls? This paper by UNESCAP explores these issues through case studies from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka and finds that harmful practices have evolved from originally non-harmful colonial, religious and cultural traditions. Combating the entrenched social norms that promote these practices requires a comprehensive, human rights-based approach.

Selling Justice Short: Why Accountability Matters for Peace

Human Rights Watch — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sacrificing justice in the hope of securing peace is often projected as a more realistic route to ending conflict and bringing about stability than holding perpetrators to account. Yet this report draws on Human Rights Watch research to argue that the impact of justice is too often undervalued when weighing objectives in resolving a conflict. While there is no one formula suitable to all situations, a decision to ignore atrocities and to reinforce a culture of impunity may carry a high price.

Introduction: Sexuality Matters

Andrea Cornwall, Susie Jolly — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

What is the connection between sexuality and development? This introduction to an issue of the Bulletin published by the Institute of Development Studies, addresses the role of sexuality in development. The mainstream literature has largely ignored this subject, either reducing it to a health and reproduction issue, or dismissing it as a �luxury�. In fact, sexuality is a matter of major concern to people worldwide, and development policies are already making an impact on sexuality, intended or not. Sexuality is an issue that cuts across various domains and is linked to human well-being. Silences, taboos and societal expectations around sex often reinforce or build up negative gender stereotypes and affect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

In a Weak State: Status and Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG) in Nepal

O Housden — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Despite Nepal?s 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) targeting rehabilitation of children from armed group associations, the government has failed to implement satisfactory reintegration. This paper, published by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, reviews the current status of the reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG). State failure to tackle deep-rooted inequality and structural problems continues to allow armed movements to recruit marginalised groups, including children, and consequently flourish.

China: Minority Exclusion, Marginalisation and Rising Tensions

Human Rights in China and Minority Rights Groups International — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Over the past twenty-five years, China has undergone rapid social and economic change. A report by Human Rights in China and Minority Rights Group International argues that this transformation has exposed the Chinese government's negative policies towards minorities. Key issues preventing minorities from exercising their rights include limited political participation, inequitable development and inadequate protection of minority cultural identity.

Policy Recommendations of the International Conference on Decentralization, Local Power and Women's Rights: Global Trends in Participation, Representation and Access to Public Services

International Development Research Centre (IDRC) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can equal, equitable, and effective citizenship be promoted in relation to decentralisation? This conference report defines a global agenda on gender and decentralisation. Decentralisation has the potential to empower citizens, including excluded groups such as women. However, it can also reinforce elite power and discrimination against women. It frequently fails to address not only gender discrimination, but also other structural divisions and inequalities. Women�s effective participation must be facilitated through measures that include quotas and reserved seats in political bodies, and support for women�s capacity development and networking.

Minority Rights: The Key to Conflict Prevention

C Baldwin, C Chapman, Z Gray — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Minority issues lie at the heart of many of the world�s conflicts. Yet minority rights are often marginalised in peace processes and conflict prevention programmes. This study, by the Minority Rights Group, looks at Chechnya, Darfur, Kashmir, Kosovo and Sri Lanka. Understanding the warning signs provided by minority rights violations could prevent conflicts. Groups should not be separated along ethnic, religious or linguistic lines as a way of creating peace, as such divisions can entrench old hatreds and wounds in the long term.

Painful Tradeoffs: Intimate-partner Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Kenya

Crichton, J., Nyamu Musembi, C., and Ngugi, A. — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How does intimate-partner violence affect Kenyan women's rights? How can the government, NGOs, and the legal and healthcare systems support abused women? This paper from the Institute of Development Studies explores links between intimate-partner violence and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights in Nairobi. Significant gaps exist between formal legal rights and the realities experienced by individuals. Legal reform, improved services for affected women and better coordination among service providers are required.

Human Rights and State Fragility: Conceptual Foundations and Strategic Directions for State-Building

Derek G. Evans — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can a human rights-based approach support state building in fragile states? This paper, prepared for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark, presents guidance for international actors. Given the relationship between conflict and poverty, neither factor on its own can guide responses to state fragility. A human rights-based approach to state building takes context into account and focuses on ensuring protection and security, supporting democratic governance and strengthening capacity for fair access to public services.

Social Movements and Citizenship: Some Challenges for INGOs

Lucy Earle — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can social movements in developing countries use concepts of citizenship to demand basic rights from the state? This report by the International NGO Training and Research Centre examines a social movement focusing on low-income housing in São Paulo. In Brazil, the concept of citizenship is linked to service provision. Lack of access to basic services is regarded as having 'limited citizenship'. Framing basic rights as 'citizenship rights' is a powerful weapon in social movements' state-focused campaigning. International donors can best support social movements through flexible approaches that fund communications and training.

Fragile States

Frances Stewart and Graham Brown — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What constitutes a fragile state and how can the concept be operationalised for development policy? This working paper from the Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security, and Ethnicity proposes a three-pronged definition of state fragility: lack of authority, failure to provide services or lack of legitimacy. Reversing these interrelated dimensions of fragility requires a tailored, comprehensive and long-term approach based on careful contextual analysis.