OHCHR (United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner) ; CESR (Center for Economic and Social Rights)

2013
OHCHR (United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner)

Abstract: This joint publication by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) focuses on the question of accountability, understood from a human rights perspective. It starts from the premise that two key weaknesses have undermined the effectiveness of the current Millennium Development Goal framework in helping to fulfil the rights and aspirations of those living in poverty. The first is that neither the Goals nor the plans for implementing them have been adequately framed in human rights terms. This has meant that States' pre-existing human rights commitments have been overlooked and undercut in both the design and the delivery of the Goals. A second related weakness is that of accountability. The Goals represent perhaps the most serious global commitment ever made to eradicating the scourge of poverty. In practice, however, robust mechanisms have not been put in place to hold States and others to account for what they have done to fulfil these pledges and to answer to the millions of people who continue to suffer avoidable deprivation as a consequence. This publication will be of interest to Member States, policymakers, development practitioners, human rights and civil society organizations and all those striving for a more just and sustainable global development agenda.

Keyword(s): Human Rights ; Accountability ; MDGs ; UN ; Post-2015 Agenda ; Poverty ; Justice