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TRANSCRIPT
The Rights-Based Approach to Development: Poverty as the failure to realize human rights
Amartya Sen and the
Evolution of the Concept of Poverty
Leland Joseph R. de la Cruz
Director, Development Studies Program
Reference
United Nations Philippines Rights Based Approach to Development Programming Training Manual
From basic needs to human rights
Basic needs and other human freedoms are rights or things people are entitled to.
By virtue of their being human, people have certain rights that must be respected, protected, fulfilled and provided.
Improvements made by the rights-based approach Emphasizes accountability Leads to empowerment Sets objective standards Protects vulnerable groups Holistic view of development Emphasizes process
Accountability
Impunity and lack of accountability hinder the realization of rights.
Lack of political will is an obstacle to the fulfillment of basic needs.
Needs must be met because they people have rights.
Needs can be met through charity and benevolence.
Rights-Based ApproachBasics Needs Approach
Empowerment
Rights are realized.Needs are met or satisfied.
People can demand for what they need because the fulfillment of these needs is their right.
People have to ask for what they need or rely on charity and benevolence.
Rights-Based ApproachBasics Needs Approach
Objective standards Universal Declaration of Human Rights Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination (1966) and Discrimination Against Women (1979)
International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)
Declaration on the Right to Development (1986) Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) Other conventions…
Vulnerable Groups
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1966) and Discrimination Against Women (1979)
Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
Holistic view of development
Powerlessness is both a symptom and a cause of the problem.
The problem is lack of access to good quality commodities and services and powerlessness.
The problem is lack of access to good quality commodities and services.
Rights-Based ApproachBasics Needs Approach
Process
People are agents of change. They set goals and participate in implementation and evaluation.
People have a right to participate in their own development.
People are recipients of benevolent development programs.
Rights-Based ApproachBasics Needs Approach
What are the Obligations?
Respect human rights– Do not violate human rights
Protect human rights– Prevent others from violating human rights
Fulfill human rights– Facilitate the exercise of human rights. Remove
obstacles which impede some from enjoying opportunities available to others.
– Provide the right that some may not be able to realize on their own
Who are the Duty-Bearers?
Individuals Entities in the immediate jurisdiction of the
claim-holders– Local governance structures, local civil society
organizations Entities on higher levels
– National governance structures, national-level civil society organizations
External duty bearers
The State and the Rights-Based Approach to Development The State is the biggest threat to human
rights. The State is in the best position to protect
and fulfill human rights.
What are the Obligations of the State? Respect human rights
– Do not violate human rights
Protect human rights– Prevent others from violating human rights
Fulfill human rights– Facilitate the exercise of human rights. Remove
obstacles which impede some from enjoying opportunities available to others.
– Provide the right that some may not be able to realize on their own
Right to work and obligations of the State Obligation to respect: The state must not
discriminate with respect to government employment.
Obligation to protect: The state must protect its citizens against violations of labor standards.
Obligation to facilitate: The state must ensure availability of training services.
Obligation to provide: The state must work toward higher levels of employment in the country.
Progressive Realization
The State must take targeted and concrete steps to the realization of human rights.
The State must maximize its available resources for the realization of human rights.
The Rights-Based Approach to Development: Poverty as the failure to realize human rights
Amartya Sen and the
Evolution of the Concept of Poverty
Leland Joseph R. de la Cruz
Director, Development Studies Program