Frequently Asked

Questions on the Right

to Development

Fact Sheet No.

37 Rev.1
 Frequently Asked
Questions on the Right
to Development

Fact Sheet No. 37

UNITED NATIONS
New York and Geneva, 2016
 NOTE

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this pub-
lication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part
of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any
country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimita-
tion of its frontiers or boundaries.

**

Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters com-

bined with figures. Mention of such a figure indicates a reference to a United
Nations document.

This publication marks the thirtieth anniversary of the 1986 Declaration on

the Right to Development. It is part of the sustained efforts of the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) aimed
at advancing knowledge and understanding of the right to development and
its effective implementation.
 CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................................................ 1
Q.1 What is the right to development? ......................................... 2
Q.2 Who are the rights holders and duty bearers of the right
to development? ................................................................ 3
Q.3 What is the status of the right to development in
international law? ............................................................... 5
Q.4 Is the right to development justiciable? .................................... 8
Q.5 What is the relationship between the right to development
and other human rights? ...................................................... 9
Q.6 What is the difference between the right to development
and a human rights-based approach to development? ............... 10
Q.7 What is the role of international cooperation in the right
to development? ................................................................ 11
Q.8 What is the relationship between the right to development
and global governance? ..................................................... 12
Q.9 What is the relationship between the right to development
and sustainable development? .............................................. 13
Q.10 What is the significance of the right to development in the context
of the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals
and related processes?........................................................ 14
Q.11 In what other ways is the right to development
relevant to the contemporary development context?................... 15
Q.12 What is the role of the United Nations and the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights in relation to the
right to development? ......................................................... 17
Q.13 What are the main challenges to the realization of the right
to development? ............................................................... 19
Q.14 How can the right to development be implemented
and monitored? ................................................................. 20
Annex I Declaration on the Right to Development ............................ 23
Annex II Landmarks in the recognition of development
as a human right ........................................................... 28
Box Key elements of the Declaration on the Right
to Development ............................................................. 38

III
 INTRODUCTION

On 4 December 1986, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the

Declaration on the Right to Development.1 In doing so, it affirmed some of the
fundamental principles articulated in the Charter of the United Nations and
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: international peace and secu-
rity; international cooperation for development; the recognition that all human
beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that all have the
right to a standard of living adequate for their well-being; the right to self-
determination of peoples; and the right to a social and international order in
which the rights and freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration can
be fully realized for all people everywhere without discrimination. Through the
Declaration, the General Assembly recognized development as a compre-
hensive economic, social, cultural and political process aimed at the constant
improvement of the well-being of all individuals and peoples, on the basis of
their participation in development and in the fair distribution of its benefits.

Divergent understandings of the terms “development” and “right to develop-

ment” have contributed to delaying progress in the implementation of the
right to development. Historically, development has been understood as a
primarily economic process measured by growth in gross national product.
This understanding continues to be the basis for the dominant economic
model worldwide. Yet the benefits of the economic growth in the second
half of the twentieth century were not equitably distributed among all na-
tions, peoples and individuals, and this inequality is increasingly the subject
of debate, criticism and social unrest. Rising poverty, growing inequalities,
and unprecedented economic, social, cultural, political, environmental and
climate crises make the right to development more relevant today than ever
before. The right to development with its emphasis on economic, social,
cultural and political development with people at its centre presents a more
balanced approach.

Despite its high relevance to the greatest challenges that face all societies
and the international community at large, the promise of the right to develop-
ment has remained unfulfilled. In fact, over the years, progress in translating
the Declaration into practice has been undermined by misunderstanding,
criticism and even rejection. This Fact Sheet aims to demystify the right to
development and to respond to some of the most commonly asked questions
about this much misunderstood fundamental human right. While it is as-
sumed that readers will already have basic knowledge about human rights,
the Fact Sheet is intended to be accessible to a general audience.

1
Resolution 41/128, annex. (See also annex I below.)

1
Question 1 What is the right to development?
Article 1 of the Declaration states that the right to development “is an inalien-
able human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are
entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural
and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental free-
doms can be fully realized. The human right to development also implies the
full realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, which includes,
subject to the relevant provisions of both International Covenants on Human
Rights, the exercise of their inalienable right to full sovereignty over all their
natural wealth and resources.”
The starting point for understanding the right to development, as stated in the
Declaration and affirmed in subsequent United Nations resolutions and other
related instruments, is that it is a human right on a par with all other human
rights. It is neither an all-encompassing “super right”, nor a highly restricted
“mini right”, but rather an equal right among the universal, inalienable, inter-
related, interdependent and indivisible human rights.
Secondly, the right to development is both an individual and a collective
right. It belongs to all individuals and all peoples. As a human right, the right
to development is universal; it applies to all people, in all countries, without
distinction as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opin-
ion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Like other human rights, the right to development contains specific entitle-
ments, including the right “to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy eco-
nomic, social, cultural and political development.” The Declaration sets out
the constituent elements of this right as well as the means for realizing it. The
box below presents the key elements of the right to development.

• People-centred development. The Declaration identifies “the human person”

as the central subject, participant and beneficiary of development (art. 2).
• A human rights-based approach. The Declaration requires that development
be carried out in a manner “in which all human rights and fundamental free-
doms can be fully realized” (art. 1).
• Participation. The Declaration insists on the “active, free and meaningful par-
ticipation” of individuals and populations in development (art. 2).
• Equity. The Declaration highlights the importance of the “fair distribution of the
benefits” of development (art. 2).
• Non-discrimination. The Declaration allows no “distinction as to race, sex,
language or religion” (art. 6).
• Self-determination. The Declaration requires the full realization of the right
of peoples to self-determination, including full sovereignty over their natural
wealth and resources (art. 1).

2
Q.2 Who are the rights holders and duty bearers of the
right to development?
Rights holders

As with all human rights, human beings are the rights holders. The right to
development is both an individual and a collective right. The human person
is the central subject of development, and should be the active participant
and beneficiary of the right to development (art. 2 (1)). This means that
development policies and programmes must be centred on human beings,
and aimed at their benefit and the constant improvement of their well-being.
The right to development entitles all people to free, active and meaningful
participation in the development decisions that affect them. It also requires
the fair distribution of the benefits of development, with the ultimate objective
of fulfilling all human rights for all (rather than aiming for economic growth
alone). The Declaration refers to the “free and complete fulfilment of the hu-
man being” (art. 2 (2)). This right to development of the human being as an
individual is also found in other core human rights instruments, such as the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (art. 6 (2)).

In addition, the right to development belongs to “all peoples” (art. 1 (1))

and the “entire population” (art. 2 (3)). The right of all peoples to develop-
ment is closely linked to the fundamental right of peoples to self-determina-
tion, including, importantly, their right to full sovereignty over all their natural
wealth and resources (arts. 1 (2) and 5). This right to the development of
peoples can also be found in the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention
(No. 169) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and in the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as in the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Furthermore, the Declaration specifically states that women should “have

an active role in the development process” (art. 8 (1)), and calls for the
elimination of sex-based discrimination in access to all human rights and
fundamental freedoms (art. 6 (1)). This echoes the approach to women and
development contained in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (art. 14). The right of women to development
can also be found in the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peo-
ples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Duty bearers

The right to development imposes duties on States and the international com-
munity, as well as on all those whose actions and/or omissions have an
impact on human rights and on the environment in which these rights are to
be fulfilled.

3
States have the primary responsibility for respecting, protecting and fulfilling
human rights, including for creating national and international conditions fa-
vourable to the realization of the right to development (art. 3 (1)). This means
that they have the primary responsibility for providing an enabling environ-
ment for equitable development, both locally and globally. States also have
the duty to formulate appropriate national development policies that aim at
the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population and of all
individuals (art. 2 (3)). Furthermore, States should work together with a view
to strengthening the realization of human rights (art. 6), and “have the duty to
cooperate with each other in ensuring development and eliminating obstacles
to development. States should … fulfil their duties in such a manner as to pro-
mote a new international economic order based on sovereign equality, inter-
dependence, mutual interest and cooperation among all States” (art. 3 (3)).

States thus have obligations at three levels: (a) internally, through the formu-
lation of national development policies and programmes affecting persons
within their jurisdictions; (b) internationally, through the adoption and imple-
mentation of policies extending beyond their jurisdictions; and (c) collec-
tively, through global and regional partnerships.2

According to the Declaration, “all human beings have a responsibility for

development, individually and collectively, taking into account the need for
full respect for their human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as their
duties to the community, which alone can ensure the free and complete fulfil-
ment of the human being …” (art. 2 (2)). They should be active participants
in development (art. 2 (1)) and have a duty, individually and collectively, to
promote and protect an appropriate political, social and economic order for
development (art. 2 (2)).

Although the Declaration does not explicitly refer to the private sector and
other non-State actors, the general obligation on States to respect, protect
and fulfil human rights applies to all human rights, including the right to
development. The obligation to protect implies that the State should protect
individuals and groups against violations of their human rights by third par-
ties. The responsibility for development and the duties towards the community
which the Declaration places on all human beings entail that such respon-
sibilities are shared by all relevant actors and organs of society, including
the private sector and civil society. According to the Guiding Principles on
Business and Human Rights, businesses have a responsibility to respect all
human rights, and this includes the right to development. Furthermore, the
responsibility, under the Declaration, to promote and protect an appropriate
political, social and economic order for development applies to all human
2
A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/2/Add.2, annex.

4
beings, including in their role as non-State actors. Accordingly, private actors
should also contribute to creating conditions favourable to the realization of
the right to development.

Q.3 What is the status of the right to development in

international law?
In 1986, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Right to
Development, by its resolution 41/128. As such, the Declaration is not in
itself legally binding. However, many of its provisions are anchored in legally
binding instruments, such as the Charter of the United Nations and the Inter-
national Covenants on Human Rights, and principles like non-discrimination
and State sovereignty are also part of customary international law, which
is binding on all States. Some of the main links between the principles con-
tained in the Declaration and those in binding instruments are outlined in the
table below:

Declaration on the Right

Selected provisions in binding instruments
to Development
Self-determination (art. 1) • International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights and International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, common art. 1
Improvement of human well-being • Charter of the United Nations
(arts. 1–4 and 8) • Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 25
• International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women, arts. 13–15
• Convention on the Rights of the Child,
arts. 3, 24 and 27
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, art. 28
Participation (arts. 1–2 and 8) • International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, art. 25
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, arts. 7 and 14
• Convention on the Rights of the Child,
arts. 12 and 15
• International Convention on the Protection
of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families, arts. 26
and 42–43
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, arts. 9, 21 and 29–30
• ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention
(No. 169), articles 2, 5, 7 and 22–23

5
Non-discrimination (art. 6) • Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 1
• International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, art. 2
• International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, arts. 26–27
• Convention on the Rights of the Child, art. 2
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, arts. 3 and 5
• International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against Women
Cooperation among States • Charter of the United Nations
(arts. 3–4 and 6) • International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, art. 2
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, art. 32
• Convention on the Rights of the Child,
arts. 4 and 23
Elimination of massive and flagrant • Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
violations of human rights (art. 5) • International Convention on the Suppression
and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid
• International Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
• International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights
Disarmament (art. 7) • Convention on Cluster Munitions
• Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,
Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
• Convention on the Prohibition of the
Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use
of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction
• Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on
the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons
which may be deemed to be Excessively
Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects
• Convention on the Prohibition of the
Development, Production and Stockpiling
of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin
Weapons and on their Destruction
• Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons
• Arms Trade Treaty

6
 Access to public services (art. 8) • Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
arts. 22 and 25
• International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, arts. 6, 11–13
• International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, arts. 2 and 25
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, arts. 24–25 and 28
• International Convention on the Protection
of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families, art. 43
New international economic order • Universal Declaration of Human Rights, art. 28
(art. 3)

In 2011, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which

monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, So-
cial and Cultural Rights, emphasized “the close relationship and the com-
plementarity” between the Covenant and the Declaration on the Right to
Development and pointed out that, by monitoring the implementation of the
rights contained in the Covenant, the Committee contributes “simultaneously
to the full realization of the relevant elements of the right to development.”3
On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration, the Chairs
of the human rights treaty bodies stated that they were “resolved to make a
concerted effort to promote a development-informed and interdependence-
based reading of all human rights treaties, so as to highlight and emphasize
the relevance and importance of the right to development in interpreting and
applying human rights treaty provisions and in monitoring compliance with
these provisions.” On the same occasion, organizations of the United Na-
tions system also reaffirmed their commitment to the right to development and
resolved to apply it fully in their work. In a joint statement 18 of them pointed
out that: “Since 1986, this Declaration has provided normative underpin-
nings for a human-centred approach to development. Human development
and human rights are embedded and reinforce each other conceptually and
in practice, helping to secure the well-being and dignity of all people.”

The right to development is also enshrined, in various forms, in regional

human rights instruments:

• Organization of American States. The Charter of the Organization

of American States (1948) details the concept, rights and duties of
integral development, the overall purpose of which should be the “es-
tablishment of a more just economic and social order that will make
possible and contribute to the fulfilment of the individual” (art. 33).
3
E/C.12/2011/2, paras. 1 and 7.

7
 Integral development is the common and joint responsibility of mem-
ber States (art. 31), preferably through multilateral organizations (art.
32). Cooperation among States in this regard “should include the
economic, social, educational, cultural, scientific and technological
fields, support the achievement of national objectives of the Member
States, and respect the priorities established by each country in its
development plans, without political ties or conditions” (ibid.).
• African Union. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
(1981), which is legally binding on 53 State parties, provides that:
“All peoples shall have the right to their economic, social and cultural
development with due regard to their freedom and identity and in the
equal enjoyment of the common heritage of mankind” and “States
shall have the duty, individually or collectively, to ensure the exercise
of the right to development” (art. 22). Similar provisions are included
for specific groups in the African Youth Charter (art. 10) and in the
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the
Rights of Women in Africa (art. 19).
• League of Arab States. The Arab Charter on Human Rights (2004)
states that the right to development is a fundamental human right and
all States are required to establish the development policies and to take
the measures needed to guarantee this right. They have a duty to give
effect to the values of solidarity and cooperation among them and at
the international level with a view to eradicating poverty and achiev-
ing economic, social, cultural and political development. By virtue of
this right, every citizen has the right to participate in the realization of
development and to enjoy the benefits and fruits thereof (art. 37).
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A section of the
ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (2012) is devoted to the right to
development. In paragraph 37, member States recognize that the
implementation of the right to development requires effective devel-
opment policies at the national level as well as international coop-
eration, and that States should mainstream aspects of the right to
development into ASEAN community building as well as work with
the international community to promote development.

Q.4 Is the right to development justiciable?

Justiciability refers to the ability of courts to render a decision on the basis of
a legal obligation.4 A right is justiciable within a given jurisdiction if it gives
rise to a legally cognizable cause of action within that jurisdiction. As dis-
4
The sources of public international law are enunciated in Article 38 (1) of the Statute of the
International Court of Justice.

8
cussed above, the Declaration itself does not create a cause of legal action.
However, many of the elements of the right to development are reaffirmed
in binding international law, including international treaties, customary law
and regional instruments. To the extent that these constituent elements of the
right to development are justiciable, so too is the right to development itself.
Some key elements of this right, including sovereign equality, equity and the
duty to cooperate, are also evident in the larger body of international law,
beyond human rights.

In Africa, the right to development forms part of the African Charter on Hu-
man and Peoples’ Rights. There, the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights has found the right to be justiciable. In the Endorois case,
the Commission found that Kenya had violated the right to development of
the Endorois people by failing to involve them in relevant decision-making
processes and by not equitably distributing the benefits of development.5 The
Endorois are a community of approximately 60,000 people who, for centu-
ries, lived around Lake Bogoria in the Rift Valley. In 1978, the Government
created the Lake Bogoria Game Reserve, excluding the Endorois from their
traditional lands and grazing pastures, which resulted in the deaths of large
numbers of their cattle, the community’s livelihood. The Commission, making
reference to the Declaration on the Right to Development and the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, found that the way
in which the Endorois had been dispossessed of their traditional lands and
denied access to resources constituted a violation of their right to develop-
ment. Consultations by the Government had been inadequate and the free,
prior and informed consent of the Endorois to the rezoning of their land had
not been obtained. Furthermore, the Endorois had been denied an equitable
share of the benefits of the Game Reserve. According to the Commission,
“the failure to provide adequate compensation and benefits, or provide suit-
able land for grazing indicates that the Respondent State did not adequately
provide for the Endorois in the development process.”

Q.5 What is the relationship between the right to

development and other human rights?
All human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interre-
lated.6 The right to development, as established in the Declaration on
the Right to Development, is a universal and inalienable right and an
integral part of fundamental human rights.7 Article 6 (1) of the Declara-
5
Centre for Minority Rights Development (Kenya) and Minority Rights Group International on
behalf of Endorois Welfare Council v. Kenya, communication No. 276/03, 25 November
2009.
6
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, para. 5.
7
Ibid., para. 10.

9
tion provides that all States should cooperate to promote, encourage
and strengthen respect for “all human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
Article 6 (2) highlights the indivisibility and interdependence of human
rights and states that “equal attention… should be given to the implemen-
tation, promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and
cultural rights.” Article 6 (3) states that failure to observe civil, political,
economic, social and cultural rights creates obstacles to development.
See also Q3.

Although the provisions of the Declaration and international human rights

treaties intersect and reinforce each other, the Declaration adds value in a
number of ways, for instance by: (a) explicitly acknowledging the indivisibil-
ity, interdependence, and need for equal attention and urgent consideration
of all human rights and fundamental freedoms—civil, cultural, economic,
political and social (preamble, arts. 1 and 6); (b) integrating into the pro-
cess of development, and as a matter of legal obligation, the human rights
principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, accountability and
transparency (arts. 2 (3), 3 (3), 5 and 8 (2)); (c) emphasizing the parallel,
simultaneous and mutually reinforcing national and international dimensions
of States’ obligations, including the obligation to create an enabling environ-
ment for the realization of the right to development (art. 3 (1)); (d) recogniz-
ing the rights of “peoples” and “the entire population” (arts. 1, 2 and 5); and
(e) connecting the three pillars of the United Nations—peace and security
(art. 7), development and human rights.

Q.6 What is the difference between the right to

development and a human rights-based approach
to development?

The right to development is a distinct human right, reaffirmed at the inter-

governmental level in the Declaration and in other internationally agreed
instruments (see Q13). It is claimable by individuals and peoples, with at-
tendant obligations on States and the international community, and implies
responsibilities for all actors in society. The right to development aims at
the constant improvement of human well-being through national and in-
ternational development policies which support an enabling environment
for development and an order in which all human rights and fundamental
freedoms can be fully realized.

The Declaration on the Right to Development and its principles were the
basis for the conceptualization of the United Nations human rights-based

10
approach to development.8 As such, a human rights-based approach fo-
cuses on ensuring participation, accountability, non-discrimination, equity
and consistency with international human rights standards, including the
right to development, in all development processes. A human rights-based
approach to development is a tool to promote human rights-compliant devel-
opment, particularly in development programming. This approach applies a
conceptual framework based on international human rights standards with
the right to development at its core and is directed towards the promotion
and protection of all human rights, including the right to development, in
development programmes.9

Q.7 What is the role of international cooperation in the

right to development?
According to the Charter of the United Nations, international cooperation in
solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems
is one of the purposes of the United Nations (Article 1 (3)). Its Articles 2,
55 and 56 emphasize that all Member States have certain obligations that
they need to meet both individually and collectively. In particular, all Mem-
ber States shall take “joint and separate action” to achieve the purposes of
the United Nations. International financial institutions, regional associations
and other actors that facilitate collective action by States are key players in
advancing international development. As their activities have an impact on
development and the protection and promotion of human rights, States must
ensure that their collective actions contribute to the creation of an interna-
tional enabling environment for development.

In the Declaration on the Right to Development it is recognized that the

realization of the right to development requires full respect for the principles
of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation among
States, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (Article 1 (2)).
Furthermore, States have a duty to cooperate with each other in creating na-
tional and international conditions favourable to the realization of the right to

8
In 2003, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes issued the Statement of Common
Understanding on Human Rights-based Approaches to Development Cooperation and Program-
ming. It provides that: (a) all development programmes should further the realization of human
rights; (b) human rights standards should guide all development programming in all phases of
the process; and (c) development programming should enhance the capacity of “duty bearers”
to meet their obligations and/or of “rights holders” to claim their rights. The Human Rights-based
Approach to Development Cooperation: Towards a Common Understanding among the United
Nations Agencies, Second Inter-agency Workshop, Stamford, United States of America, May
2003.
9
For further information on a human rights-based approach to development, see Frequently
Asked Questions on a Human Rights-based Approach to Development Cooperation (United
Nations publication, Sales No. [Link].10).

11
development (Declaration, art. 3 (1)); in ensuring development and eliminat-
ing obstacles to development, and promoting a new international economic
order based on sovereign equality, interdependence, mutual interest and
cooperation among all States (art. 3 (3)); and in formulating international
development policies (art. 4 (1)). The Declaration also calls for sustained
action for more rapid development of developing countries and effective
international cooperation to provide them with appropriate means and facili-
ties to foster their comprehensive development (art. 4).

International cooperation is essential to realize the right to development for

a number of reasons. While development is a State-led process, it is neces-
sarily affected by international policies and thus cannot be separated from
the global context in which it takes place. Spurred by rapid developments
in information, communication and transport technologies, the transfer of
information, ideas and goods as well as mass migration of people have led
to an interdependent, globalized economy and world. Obstacles to devel-
opment, such as colonialism, foreign domination and occupation, as well
as environmental threats, are global and therefore require global responses.
State development programmes can also be significantly strengthened by the
guidance and standard-setting work of the United Nations and its special-
ized agencies as well as other international organizations and international
non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The United Nations treaty bodies
have further elaborated on obligations in this context. One example is gen-
eral comment No. 3 (1990) on States parties’ obligations of the Committee
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which states that international co-
operation for development, and thus for the realization of economic, social
and cultural rights, is an obligation of all States.

Q.8 What is the relationship between the right to

development and global governance?
The right to development calls for good governance at both the national and
the international levels. In an era of globalization, good global governance
is essential for the formulation and implementation of national and interna-
tional development policies in a manner that respects, promotes and protects
all human rights and is aimed at the constant improvement of human well-
being. The key attributes of good governance—transparency, responsibility,
accountability, participation, non-discrimination and responsiveness10—are
necessary to ensure the right of all peoples “to participate in, contribute
to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development” (Dec-
laration, art. 1). This synergy between the right to development and good
governance is reflected in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which

10
See also Commission on Human Rights resolution 2000/64.

12
records Member States’ commitments to the promotion of both, as well as in
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to the Declaration on the Right to Development, “appropriate eco-

nomic and social reforms should be carried out with a view to eradicating all
social injustices” (art. 8). Thus, the Declaration calls for governance reforms,
including in the financial sector, which are based on a clear understanding of
the relationship between the enjoyment of human rights and State policies on
issues such as financial regulatory reform, taxation, budgeting and responding
to financial crises. These reforms should promote an international enabling en-
vironment for development through improved accountability and good govern-
ance of financial institutions, effective regulation, transparency and participa-
tion. Potential steps in furthering this objective include the use of human rights
safeguards, impact assessments and other tools to promote a human rights-
based approach to macroeconomic policy, crisis response and recovery.

Q.9 What is the relationship between the right to

development and sustainable development?
Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of
the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs. The Rio Declaration on Environment and Develop-
ment (principle 3) and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
(para. 11) both state that the right to development should be fulfilled so as to
meet equitably the developmental and environmental needs of present and
future generations.

Global crises related, for instance, to climate change, financial systems,

conflict and migration have increasingly drawn attention to the interdepend-
ence of human rights, development, peace and security, and ecological
and planetary well-being. The pursuit of economic growth without adequate
measures to promote inclusive, equitable, participatory and environmentally
sound development is clearly unsustainable. Indeed, inequality, corruption,
mismanagement of public resources and misdirection of public policy priori-
ties fuel civil unrest, and threaten development, sustainability and the realiza-
tion of all human rights for all. The right to development articulates a vision
for transformative development founded on the principles of international
law and anchored in international solidarity, the equal participation of all
stakeholders, and the fair distribution of income and resources, so that truly
sustainable, people-centred development can be achieved.

This vision of development has helped shape the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, in which the importance of the right to development is explicitly
recognized. The 2030 Agenda states that it is informed among other instru-

13
ments by the Declaration on the Right to Development (para. 10) and recogniz-
es respect for human rights, including the right to development, as a prerequisite
for peace and security and, therefore, for sustainable development (para. 35).

Q.10 What is the significance of the right to development

in the context of the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable
Development Goals and related processes?
The right to development will continue to inform the 2030 Agenda and the
Sustainable Development Goals and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the
Third International Conference on Financing for Development. Importantly,
there are explicit references to the right to development in both the 2030
Agenda (para. 35) and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, in which States
“commit to respecting all human rights, including the right to development”
(para. 1). In order to realize the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda for a world in which
the benefits of development are equitably shared by all, States will need to
ensure that right-to-development principles guide the implementation of their
commitments.
The preamble to the 2030 Agenda describes it as “a plan of action for
people, planet and prosperity” in which “all countries and all stakeholders,
acting in collaborative partnership, … are resolved to free the human race
from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet”
while leaving no one behind. The key principles contained in the Declaration
on the Right to Development, including participation, non-discrimination, self-
determination, individual and collective responsibility, international coopera-
tion, and equity, are reaffirmed throughout the 2030 Agenda. The Sustain-
able Development Goals, which are incorporated in it, have been adopted
by Member States without a vote and outline development objectives that
are rooted in human rights commitments, including the right to development.
These Goals, by taking a rights-based approach and calling for equitable
development, improve upon the Millennium Development Goals and present
new opportunities for development that benefits everyone.

In order to help realize these Goals, the 2030 Agenda directly integrates the
Addis Ababa Action Agenda and its commitment to respect all human rights,
including the right to development. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda calls
for increased accountability for development financing commitments (para.
58), including accountability for businesses (paras. 35 and 37), renews
pledges to provide a social protection floor for everyone (para. 12), estab-
lishes a new technology facilitation mechanism (para. 123), and includes for
the first time a follow-up and review mechanism for financing development
(paras. 130–134). The implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda
requires an international system of financing for development that is just,

14
equitable, cooperative, transparent and accountable, that integrates human
rights commitments, and that makes the human person the central subject of
development.

In this regard, measures to ensure the participation and empowerment of

marginalized and excluded groups will be critical, including during the
planned reviews of financing for development commitments and the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. Existing human rights mechanisms,
such as the universal periodic review, the treaty bodies, the special proce-
dures of the Human Rights Council, national human rights institutions, and
regional and national human rights bodies, can contribute to follow-up and
review to ensure that a right-to-development framework is being applied
to development efforts. Effective follow-up and review furthermore require
monitoring and measuring progress in the implementation of human rights,
including the right to development, using relevant indicators.11

Climate change, which has been integrated into the 2030 Agenda for Sus-
tainable Development and as a stand-alone goal in Sustainable Develop-
ment Goal 13, also has significant human rights implications. It threatens the
full and effective enjoyment of a range of human rights, including the right to
development, by people throughout the world, and its impact falls most heav-
ily on the poorest and most marginalized individuals, groups, communities
and countries that have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions.

The Declaration on the Right to Development requires that States cooperate

to eliminate obstacles to development (climate change has shown itself to
be a principal example) and do so with a view to eradicating social injus-
tices. Recognizing that some States have contributed more to climate change
than others and also that some States have more capacity to contribute to
adaptation and mitigation efforts than others, the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change requires States to take action on climate
change “on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” (art. 3 (1)). In their
efforts to adapt to or mitigate climate change, States must seek to give the
principle of equity and their commitment to international cooperation, which
are both central to the right to development, meaningful operational force.

Q.11 In what other ways is the right to development

relevant to the contemporary development context?
Trade, investment, finance, aid, debt, technology, innovation and global
governance, all have consequences for the achievement of the right to
11
For more information about indicators, see Human Rights Indicators: A Guide to Measure-
ment and Implementation (United Nations publication, Sales No. [Link].2).

15
development, as do the global challenges mentioned above. The right to
development demands that these difficult and diverse issues be addressed
comprehensively and coherently with the ultimate policy objective of secur-
ing freedom from fear and freedom from want for everyone.

This ultimate objective of development is broadly reflected in diverse and

evolving policy arenas. For example, the Marrakech Agreement Establishing
the World Trade Organization states that “relations in the field of trade and
economic endeavour should be conducted with a view to raising standards
of living, [and] ensuring full employment…, while allowing for the optimal
use of the world’s resources in accordance with the objective of sustainable
development”. Similarly, the General Assembly in its annual resolutions on
the right to development affirms human rights and improved human well-
being as guiding considerations for multilateral trade negotiations and calls
for mainstreaming the right to development and strengthening the global
partnership for development within international trade institutions among
other things. The right to development provides a framework for the con-
sideration of extraterritorial obligations and the obligations of States in their
collective capacities, including as members of international organizations
like the World Trade Organization and multilateral development banks, and
as actors in global trade, investment and finance.

As trade negotiations have proliferated and the human rights impact of trade
and investment agreements is better understood, it has become increasingly
clear that States must step up their efforts to integrate human rights, including
the right to development, in new trade and investment in order to fulfil their
human rights commitments. Likewise, the obligations outlined in the Declara-
tion require that aid or official development assistance, as well as interna-
tional lending, should be adequate, effective and transparent, administered
through participatory and accountable processes, and targeted towards the
countries, people and groups most in need, including within those States
where the ability to mobilize domestic resources is weakest.

The Declaration’s mandate for international cooperation and equitable distri-

bution also requires that technology and scientific innovation that can play a
role in the fulfilment of human rights should be equitably shared in a manner
that takes into account the needs of the most vulnerable. In practice, this re-
quires a system of intellectual property protection that encourages innovation
while ensuring that life-saving technologies are not withheld from the poor,
vulnerable, marginalized and excluded. As the world faces new and con-
stantly evolving challenges, the Declaration, with its emphasis on realizing
all human rights for all individuals and peoples, international cooperation,
equity and equality, continues to illuminate a way forward.

16
Q.12 What is the role of the United Nations and the Office of
the High Commissioner for Human Rights in relation to
the right to development?
The United Nations has played a key role throughout the emergence and
development of the right to development both before and after the adoption
of the Declaration on the Right to Development (see annex II below). It has
supported a series of expert mechanisms:

(a) The Working Group of Governmental Experts on the Right to Develop-

ment (1981–1989), with a mandate to study the scope and content
of the right to development and the most effective means to ensure
the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. During its first
nine sessions, the Working Group played an active role in drafting
the relevant texts for the Declaration;

(b) The Open-ended Working Group of Governmental Experts on the

Right to Development (1993–1995), with a mandate to identify obs-
tacles to the implementation and realization of the Declaration and
to recommend ways and means for all States to realize the right to
development;

(c) The Intergovernmental Group of Experts on the Right to Development

(1996–1997), with a mandate, inter alia, to draw up a strategy for the
implementation and promotion of the right to development and to work
out concrete and practical measures to implement and promote it;

(d) The Independent Expert on the right to development (1998–2003),

followed by the high-level task force on the implementation of the right
to development (2004–2010), with a mandate to provide expert ad-
vice and input to the intergovernmental open-ended Working Group
on the Right to Development.12

The intergovernmental open-ended Working Group on the Right to Devel-

opment was established in 1998 by the Commission on Human Rights,13
which was replaced by the Human Rights Council in 2006. Its mandate is
to monitor and review progress made in the promotion and implementation
of the right to development, as elaborated in the Declaration on the Right to
Development, at the national and international levels, providing recommen-
dations thereon and further analysing obstacles to its full enjoyment, focusing
each year on specific commitments in the Declaration; to review reports
and any other information submitted by States, United Nations agencies,
12
For more information and updates, see [Link]/EN/Issues/Development/Pages/
[Link] (accessed 17 December 2015).
13
Resolution 1998/72.

17
other relevant international organizations and NGOs on the relationship
between their activities and the right to development; and to present for
the consideration of the Human Rights Council a report on its deliberations,
including advice to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights with regard to the implementation of the right to development
and to suggest possible programmes of technical assistance, at the request
of interested countries, with the aim of promoting the implementation of the
right to development. The Working Group meets once a year in Geneva
and submits its report to both the Council and the General Assembly. United
Nations agencies, other international organizations as well as civil society
representatives participate as observers in its sessions.

The right to development is the only human right specifically mentioned in

resolution 48/141 of the General Assembly, by which it established the
position of High Commissioner and the Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights. The High Commissioner is mandated to “promote and
protect the realization of the right to development and to enhance support
from relevant bodies of the United Nations system for this purpose”. In ad-
dition, the General Assembly annually calls upon the High Commissioner
to mainstream the right to development and “undertake effectively activi-
ties aimed at strengthening the global partnership for development among
Member States, development agencies and the international development,
financial and trade institutions”.14 The Human Rights Council annually calls
upon the High Commissioner to ensure “inter-agency coordination within the
United Nations system with regard to the promotion and realization of the
right to development.”15 Both the Secretary-General and the High Commis-
sioner report annually to the General Assembly and to the Council on the
implementation of these mandates.

In line with the High Commissioner’s mandate, OHCHR works to mainstream

the right to development and to support increased awareness and imple-
mentation of this right.16 Other activities are: advocacy; provision of techni-
cal advice; establishment of partnerships, including with Member States,
multilateral institutions, civil society and NGOs as well as the private sector;
conducting research and identifying good practices, lessons learned and
obstacles to implementation; organization of expert meetings; and publica-
14
General Assembly resolution 66/155 of 19 December 2011.
15
Human Rights Council resolution 19/34 of 23 March 2012.
16
For example, in commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration, OHCHR
embarked on a year-long series of events and published Realizing the Right to Development:
Essays in Commemoration of 25 Years of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Devel-
opment (United Nations publication, Sales No. [Link].1), which inter alia analyses in depth
the progress and setbacks during the first 25 years.

18
tion of informational and educational materials.17 OHCHR also provides
secretariat support to mechanisms and mandates of the General Assembly
and the Human Rights Council related to the right to development, including
the above-mentioned Working Group.

Q.13 What are the main challenges to the realization of the

right to development?
The Declaration was adopted in 1986 with a recorded vote of 146 Member
States in favour, 1 against and 8 abstentions.18 In 1993 the World Confer-
ence on Human Rights adopted the Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action, in which all Member States reaffirmed “the right to development, as
established in the Declaration on the Right to Development, as a universal and
inalienable right and an integral part of fundamental human rights” (para. 10).

The right to development has since been reaffirmed in a number of other

international instruments, such as: the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment
and Development; the United Nations Millennium Declaration; the 2002
Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for De-
velopment; the 2005 World Summit Outcome; the 2007 United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; the 2010 outcome docu-
ment of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the Mil-
lennium Development Goals; the 2011 Istanbul Programme of Action for the
Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011–2020; the 2012 outcome
document of the thirteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development; “The future we want”, the outcome document of the 2012
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (“Rio+20”); the Ad-
dis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing
for Development; “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development” and the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.

Nevertheless, conceptual, political and strategic challenges to the practical

implementation of the right to development remain. Views among States are
still divided. There is some disagreement on the nature of the duties of States
to realize the right to development, as well as on the relative emphasis to be
placed on the national dimension of State obligations (individual rights and cor-
responding State responsibilities, rule of law, good governance, anti-corruption,
etc.) compared to obligations of international cooperation (international respon-
sibilities, international order, development cooperation, global governance,
etc.). As the Declaration makes explicit, both the national and the international
17
For more information and updates, see [Link]/EN/Issues/Development/Pages/
[Link] (accessed 17 December 2015).
18
Against: United States of America; abstentions: Denmark, Finland, Federal Republic of Ger-
many, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Sweden and United Kingdom.

19
dimensions are necessary for the full realization of the right to development.
National policies and measures for development will not succeed without an
international environment which enables development, and vice versa.

There are also differences of opinion among States regarding criteria to

measure progress towards implementing the right to development.19 Some
countries advocate the development of a comprehensive and coherent set
of standards as a basis for a legally binding instrument, while others express
a preference for non-binding guidelines. These differences have challenged
progress in the intergovernmental debate at the relevant United Nations fo-
rums, such as the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the
Working Group.20

Such politicization and polarization in intergovernmental debates highlight

the need to improve understanding of this right and enlarge the constituen-
cies in support of it. The role of civil society and other stakeholders is crucial
to this effort. There is a critical need to ensure human rights-based policy co-
herence in the global partnership for development and mainstream all human
rights, including the right to development, into the work of the United Nations
system.21 But the greatest obstacle to achieving these objectives remains a
lack of consensus among Member States.

Q.14 How can the right to development be implemented

and monitored?
The realization of the right to development is an ongoing process for all coun-
tries. According to the Working Group, further conceptual clarification, im-
proved strategic coherence and coordination of policies and programmes,
and increased political commitment are required for its full realization.22
Some of the factors that it considers contribute to the realization of the right
to development are:

(a) An open, equitable, rules-based, predictable and non-discriminatory

multilateral trading system;

(b) Sustained economic growth;

(c) Continued partnerships for development;

19
The high-level task force has developed criteria and sub-criteria for operationalizing the right
to development, for review by the Working Group. See A/HRC/15/WG.2/TF/2/Add.2.
20
For a detailed account of the debate, see the annual reports of the Working Group, avail-
able from [Link]/EN/Issues/Development/Pages/[Link]
(accessed 17 December 2015).
21
A/HRC/19/45, paras. 23–25.
22
E/CN.4/2004/23 and Corr.1, para. 43 (h).

20
 (d) The evolution, assessment and dissemination of practical and specific
measures at the national and international levels;

(e) Integration of the principles underlying the Declaration on the Right to

Development within the policies and programmes of the multilateral
development and financial institutions;

(f) A rights-based approach to economic growth and development;

(g) Good governance and the rule of law at both national and interna-
tional levels;

(h) Responsiveness on the part of States to vulnerable and marginalized

groups and the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and
social rights.23

The means of implementing the right to development include:

(a) Formulating appropriate national and international development poli-

cies (arts. 2, 4 and 10);

(b) Economic and social reforms at the national and international levels
(arts. 8 and 10);

(c) Effective international cooperation (arts. 3–4 and 6);

(d) Removing obstacles to development, including human rights violations,

racism, colonialism, occupation and aggression (arts. 3, 5 and 6);

(e) Promoting peace and disarmament, and redirecting the savings from
disarmament into development (art. 7).

The Declaration on the Right to Development is not a treaty and there is no

treaty body tasked with monitoring its implementation. However, in 1998,
the United Nations established the Working Group to monitor and review
progress in the promotion and implementation of the right to development
at the national and international levels and to provide recommendations for
and analyse obstacles to its enjoyment (see Q12). The General Assembly
and the Human Rights Council monitor the implementation of the right to
development based on the annual reports submitted by the Working Group,
the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner (see Q12). Relevant hu-
man rights treaty bodies, special procedure mandate holders, the universal
periodic review and other mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, as well
as international, regional and national organizations, increasingly examine
23
A/66/216, paras. 22–23.

21
issues connected with the right to development. Some examples are: the
recognition by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of
the close relationship and complementarity between the International Cov-
enant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the right to development,
including many parallel provisions in areas like employment, food, hous-
ing, health and education; the development by the Special Rapporteur on
the right to food of Guiding principles on human rights impact assessments
of trade and investment agreements (A/HRC/19/59/Add.5); the focus
on self-determination of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous
peoples; and consideration by the Working Group on Business and Human
Rights of the responsibilities of non-State actors for development, including
with regard to responsible investment.

Everyone who plays a role in creating and shaping policy, including, but not
only, parliamentarians and policymakers, religious and community leaders,
civil society organizations and faith-based groups, academics and voters,
can contribute to the formulation of policies that are in line with the right to
development and that incorporate its principles and elements. As discussed
above, under the Declaration “all human beings have a responsibility for
development”, and all individuals, including youth and children, should be
enabled to act in their personal capacity to fulfil the right to development
for themselves and others. Human rights education that incorporates educa-
tion on the right to development will help to bring these basic elements to
the grass roots and enable participatory and human-centred development.
Furthermore, the private sector can contribute to the implementation of the
right to development by ensuring that all business activities, including public-
private partnerships, incorporate the fundamental principles enshrined in the
Declaration and conform to the understanding of “the human person” as the
central subject, participant and beneficiary of development. Fundamentally,
the right to development is a right that belongs to all individuals and peoples,
and therefore every human person, each community and the entire popula-
tion should be enabled and empowered in practice to participate in, con-
tribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development.

22
 ANNEX I

Declaration on the Right to Development a24

The General Assembly,

Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations relating to the achievement of international cooperation in solving in-
ternational problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian nature,
and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamen-
tal freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Recognizing that development is a comprehensive economic, social, cultural

and political process, which aims at the constant improvement of the well-
being of the entire population and of all individuals on the basis of their ac-
tive, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribu-
tion of benefits resulting therefrom,

Considering that under the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the
rights and freedoms set forth in that Declaration can be fully realized,

Recalling the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social

and Cultural Rights and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights,

Recalling further the relevant agreements, conventions, resolutions, recom-

mendations and other instruments of the United Nations and its specialized
agencies concerning the integral development of the human being, eco-
nomic and social progress and development of all peoples, including those
instruments concerning decolonization, the prevention of discrimination, re-
spect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the
maintenance of international peace and security and the further promotion
of friendly relations and cooperation among States in accordance with the
Charter,

Recalling the right of peoples to self-determination, by virtue of which they

have the right freely to determine their political status and to pursue their
economic, social and cultural development,

Recalling also the right of peoples to exercise, subject to the relevant provi-
sions of both International Covenants on Human Rights, full and complete
sovereignty over all their natural wealth and resources,
a
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 41/128 of 4 December
1986.

23
Mindful of the obligation of States under the Charter to promote universal
respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all
without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion,
political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other
status,

Considering that the elimination of the massive and flagrant violations of the
human rights of the peoples and individuals affected by situations such as
those resulting from colonialism, neocolonialism, apartheid, all forms of rac-
ism and racial discrimination, foreign domination and occupation, aggres-
sion and threats against national sovereignty, national unity and territorial
integrity and threats of war would contribute to the establishment of circum-
stances propitious to the development of a great part of mankind,

Concerned at the existence of serious obstacles to development, as well as

to the complete fulfilment of human beings and of peoples, constituted, inter
alia, by the denial of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,
and considering that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivis-
ible and interdependent and that, in order to promote development, equal
attention and urgent consideration should be given to the implementation,
promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural
rights and that, accordingly, the promotion of, respect for and enjoyment of
certain human rights and fundamental freedoms cannot justify the denial of
other human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Considering that international peace and security are essential elements for
the realization of the right to development,

Reaffirming that there is a close relationship between disarmament and de-

velopment and that progress in the field of disarmament would considerably
promote progress in the field of development and that resources released
through disarmament measures should be devoted to the economic and so-
cial development and well-being of all peoples and, in particular, those of
the developing countries,

Recognizing that the human person is the central subject of the development
process and that development policy should therefore make the human being
the main participant and beneficiary of development,

Recognizing that the creation of conditions favourable to the development of

peoples and individuals is the primary responsibility of their States,

Aware that efforts at the international level to promote and protect human
rights should be accompanied by efforts to establish a new international
economic order,

24
Confirming that the right to development is an inalienable human right and
that equality of opportunity for development is a prerogative both of nations
and of individuals who make up nations,

Proclaims the following Declaration on the Right to Development:

Article 1
1. The right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which
every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute
to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which
all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized.

2. The human right to development also implies the full realization of the
right of peoples to self-determination, which includes, subject to the relevant
provisions of both International Covenants on Human Rights, the exercise
of their inalienable right to full sovereignty over all their natural wealth and
resources.

Article 2

1. The human person is the central subject of development and should be

the active participant and beneficiary of the right to development.

2. All human beings have a responsibility for development, individually

and collectively, taking into account the need for full respect for their human
rights and fundamental freedoms as well as their duties to the community,
which alone can ensure the free and complete fulfilment of the human be-
ing, and they should therefore promote and protect an appropriate political,
social and economic order for development.

3. States have the right and the duty to formulate appropriate national de-
velopment policies that aim at the constant improvement of the well-being of
the entire population and of all individuals, on the basis of their active, free
and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of
the benefits resulting therefrom.

Article 3

1. States have the primary responsibility for the creation of national and inter-
national conditions favourable to the realization of the right to development.

2. The realization of the right to development requires full respect for the
principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation
among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

25
3. States have the duty to cooperate with each other in ensuring develop-
ment and eliminating obstacles to development. States should realize their
rights and fulfil their duties in such a manner as to promote a new interna-
tional economic order based on sovereign equality, interdependence, mu-
tual interest and cooperation among all States, as well as to encourage the
observance and realization of human rights.

Article 4

1. States have the duty to take steps, individually and collectively, to for-
mulate international development policies with a view to facilitating the full
realization of the right to development.

2. Sustained action is required to promote more rapid development of

developing countries. As a complement to the efforts of developing coun-
tries, effective international cooperation is essential in providing these
countries with appropriate means and facilities to foster their comprehen-
sive development.

Article 5

States shall take resolute steps to eliminate the massive and flagrant viola-
tions of the human rights of peoples and human beings affected by situations
such as those resulting from apartheid, all forms of racism and racial discrimi-
nation, colonialism, foreign domination and occupation, aggression, foreign
interference and threats against national sovereignty, national unity and ter-
ritorial integrity, threats of war and refusal to recognize the fundamental right
of peoples to self-determination.

Article 6

1. All States should cooperate with a view to promoting, encouraging

and strengthening universal respect for and observance of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all without any distinction as to race, sex,
language or religion.

2. All human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interde-
pendent; equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the im-
plementation, promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social
and cultural rights.

3. States should take steps to eliminate obstacles to development resulting

from failure to observe civil and political rights, as well as economic, social
and cultural rights.

26
 Article 7

All States should promote the establishment, maintenance and strengthening

of international peace and security and, to that end, should do their utmost
to achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international
control, as well as to ensure that the resources released by effective disarma-
ment measures are used for comprehensive development, in particular that
of the developing countries.

Article 8

1. States should undertake, at the national level, all necessary measures for
the realization of the right to development and shall ensure, inter alia, equal-
ity of opportunity for all in their access to basic resources, education, health
services, food, housing, employment and the fair distribution of income. Ef-
fective measures should be undertaken to ensure that women have an active
role in the development process. Appropriate economic and social reforms
should be carried out with a view to eradicating all social injustices.

2. States should encourage popular participation in all spheres as an im-

portant factor in development and in the full realization of all human rights.

Article 9

1. All the aspects of the right to development set forth in the present Dec-
laration are indivisible and interdependent and each of them should be
considered in the context of the whole.

2. Nothing in the present Declaration shall be construed as being contrary

to the purposes and principles of the United Nations, or as implying that any
State, group or person has a right to engage in any activity or to perform any
act aimed at the violation of the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights.

Article 10

Steps should be taken to ensure the full exercise and progressive enhance-
ment of the right to development, including the formulation, adoption and
implementation of policy, legislative and other measures at the national and
international levels.

27
 ANNEX II
Landmarks in the recognition of development
as a human right a25

Excerpts, references, provisions,

mandates, commitments and
Year Developments
remarks from the corresponding
sources
1944 Declaration of Philadelphia, All human beings, irrespective of race, creed or
General Conference sex, have the right to pursue both their material
of the International Labour well-being and their spiritual development in
Organization conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic
security and equal opportunity
1945 Charter of the United Nations • To promote social progress and better standards
of life in larger freedom (Preamble)
• To achieve international cooperation in solving
international problems of an economic, social,
cultural, or humanitarian character, and in
promoting and encouraging respect for human
rights and for fundamental freedoms for all
without distinction as to race, sex, language,
or religion (Article 1)
• To promote higher standards of living, full
employment, and conditions of economic and
social progress and development (Article 55)
• To take joint and separate action in cooperation
with the Organization for the achievement of the
purposes set forth in Article 55 (Article 56)
1948 Charter of the Organization Each State has the right to develop its cultural,
of American States political, and economic life freely and naturally.
In this free development, the State shall respect
the rights of the individual and the principles of
universal morality (art. 17)
1948 Universal Declaration of • All human beings are born free and equal in
Human Rights dignity and rights. They are endowed with
(General Assembly resolution reason and conscience and should act towards
217 A (III)) one another in a spirit of brotherhood (art. 1)
• Everyone has the right to a standard of living
adequate for the health and well-being of
himself and of his family, including food,
clothing, housing and medical care and
necessary social services (art. 25)
• Everyone is entitled to a social and international
order in which the rights and freedoms set forth
in this Declaration can be fully realized (art. 28)

a
Various United Nations mechanisms set up to address the right to development are shown in grey.

28
1960 Declaration on the Granting • All peoples have an inalienable right to
of Independence to Colonial complete freedom, the exercise of their
Countries and Peoples sovereignty and the integrity of their national
(General Assembly resolution territory
1514 (XV)) • All peoples have the right to self-determination;
by virtue of that right they freely determine their
political status and freely pursue their economic,
social and cultural development
1961 Programme for the first • All States are to intensify their efforts to
United Nations Development mobilize and to sustain measures to achieve
Decade (General Assembly self-sustaining growth of nations and their
resolution 1710 (XVI)) social advancement (para. 1)
• Appealing for more “equitable” and “mutually
acceptable” economic relations between
developed and developing countries, the
General Assembly reaffirms the duty of States to
cooperate internationally and express solidarity
to create the conditions necessary to achieve
the target set
1962 Declaration on permanent The resolution proclaims the inalienable right
sovereignty over natural of peoples and nations to permanent sovereignty
resources (General Assembly over their natural wealth and resources, and that
resolution 1803 (XVII)) such sovereignty is a basic constituent of the
sovereign and inalienable right of peoples to
self-determination, including development
1965 International Convention on The Convention condemns all forms of racial
the Elimination of All Forms of discrimination against individuals and groups;
Racial Discrimination (General further defines some of the basic principles
Assembly resolution 2106 on which the right to development is based:
(XX)) non-discrimination, equality and social justice
1966 International Covenants on Both Covenants recognize that the ideal of
Human Rights – Covenants on free human beings enjoying freedom from fear
Civil and Political Rights and and want can only be achieved if conditions
Economic, Social and Cultural are created whereby everyone may enjoy his
Rights (General Assembly economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his
resolution 2200A (XXI)) civil and political rights (third preambular common
paragraph)
1968 Proclamation of Teheran, The Proclamation of Teheran states that
International Conference on the achievement of lasting progress in the
Human Rights implementation of human rights is dependent upon
sound and effective national and international
development policies of economic and social
development (para. 13).

29
1969- Special Rapporteur of the To submit a comprehensive report, together with
1974 Commission on Human Rights, his conclusions and recommendations including
Mr. Manouchehr Ganji the question of the role of the Commission in this
regard, on the realization … of economic, social
and cultural rights …, taking particular account of
the special problems of the developing countries
in this regard (Commission resolution 14 (XXV),
para. 1)
(The study is contained in E/CN.4/1108/Rev.1)
1969 Declaration on Social Progress • The Declaration affirms that the aim of social
and Development (General progress and development is “the continuous
Assembly resolution 2542 raising of the material and spiritual standards
(XXIV)) of living of all members of society, with respect
for and in compliance with human rights and
fundamental freedoms” (Part II, Objectives)
• All peoples and all human beings, without
distinction as to race, colour, sex, language,
religion, nationality, ethnic origin, family or
social status, or political or other conviction,
shall have the right to live in dignity and freedom
and to enjoy the fruits of social progress and
should, on their part, contribute to it (art. 1)
1970 Declaration on Principles of The Declaration reaffirms and elaborates upon
International Law concerning the principle of equal rights and self-determination
Friendly Relations and contained in the Charter of the United Nations,
Cooperation among States in reaffirmed in common article 1 of the two
accordance with the Charter International Covenants on Human Rights and
of the United Nations (General subsequently incorporated in article 1 of the
Assembly resolution 2625 Declaration on the Right to Development
(XXV))
1970 International Development The Strategy recognizes the interdependence of
Strategy for the Second United development and human rights, including the right
Nations Development Decade of peoples to self-determination and the related
(General Assembly resolution concept of popular participation
2626 (XXV))
1974 Declaration on the The Declaration affirms inter alia that the present
Establishment of a New international economic order is in direct conflict
International Economic Order with current developments in international political
(General Assembly resolution and economic relations. Since 1970 the world
3201 (S-VI)) economy has experienced a series of grave crises
which have had severe repercussions, especially
on the developing countries because of their
generally greater vulnerability to external economic
impulses (para. 2)

30
1974 Charter of Economic The Charter aims at the establishment of a new
Rights and Duties of States international economic order, based on equality,
(General Assembly resolution sovereign equality, interdependence, common
3281(XXIX)) interest and cooperation among all States,
irrespective of their economic and social systems
1974- Sub-Commission on the • The Sub-Commission developed and considered
2005 Promotion and Protection several studies and reports on various thematic
of Human Rights issues relevant to the right to development (see
the OHCHR website, right-to-development
documents archive)
• The Commission on Human Rights requested the
Sub-Commission to prepare a concept document
establishing options for the implementation of
the right to development and their feasibility,
inter alia, an international legal standard of a
binding nature, guidelines on the implementation
of the right to development and principles
for development partnerships… (resolution
2003/83)
• In 2006, the Sub-Commission was replaced by
the Advisory Committee
1977- Commission on Human Rights • For the first time the Commission requested a
2005 study on the international dimensions of the right
to development as a human right in relation
with other human rights (resolution 4 (XXXIII)
of 21 February 1977)
• The Commission considered and adopted a
resolution on the right to development annually
from 1985 to 2005. The Commission was
replaced by the Human Rights Council in 2006
1978 Declaration on Race and Any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference
Racial Prejudice of the United based on race, colour, ethnic or national origin
Nations Educational, Scientific or religious intolerance motivated by racist
and Cultural Organization considerations, which destroys or compromises
the sovereign equality of States and the right
of peoples to self-determination, or which limits
in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner the
right of every human being and group to full
development is incompatible with the requirements
of an international order which is just and
guarantees respect for human rights; the right to full
development implies equal access to the means of
personal and collective advancement and fulfilment
in a climate of respect for the values of civilizations
and cultures, both national and worldwide (art. 3)

31
1979- Secretary-General • The Secretary-General submitted reports
present and studies on the international dimensions
of the right to development as a human right
(E/CN.4/1334), the regional and national
dimensions of the right to development
as a human right (E/CN.4/1421 and
E/CN.4/1488) and on popular participation
(E/CN.4/1985/10) to the Commission on
Human Rights
• The Secretary-General submits an annual report
on the right to development to the General
Assembly and the Human Rights Council
1980 International Development It underlined the relationship between development
Strategy for the Third United and the individual and the collective, national
Nations Development Decade and international justice, and the need for a
(General Assembly resolution new international economic order and structural
35/56) changes at the national and international levels
1981 African Charter on Human All peoples shall have the right to their economic,
and Peoples’ Rights social and cultural development with due regard
to their freedom and identity and in the equal
enjoyment of the common heritage of mankind
(art. 22 (1))
1981- Working Group of • To study the scope and contents of the right to
1989 Governmental Experts on the development and the most effective means to
Right to Development ensure the realization of economic, social and
(15 experts) cultural rights (Commission resolution 36 (XXXVII)
of 11 March 1981)
• To submit concrete proposals for implementation
of the right to development and for a draft
international instrument on this subject (ibid.)
• To submit recommendations to the Commission
on practical measures to implement the
Declaration and specific proposals for future
work (resolution 1987/23)
1981- General Assembly • The General Assembly declared that the right
present to development is an inalienable human right
(resolution 36/133 of 14 December 1981)
• The General Assembly has considered and
adopted a resolution on the right to development
annually since 1987
1986 DECLARATION ON THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT
(General Assembly resolution 41/128)
1990 Global Consultation on The consultation took place on 8-12 January 1990
the Right to Development as in Geneva as requested by the Commission in its
a Human Right resolution 1989/45

32
1992 Rio Declaration on The right to development must be fulfilled so as
Environment and Development to equitably meet developmental and
environmental needs of present and future
generations (Principle 3)
1993 Vienna Declaration and • The World Conference on Human Rights (for
Programme of Action the first time all United Nations Member
States by consensus) reaffirmed the right to
development, as established in the Declaration
on the Right to Development, as a universal
and inalienable right and an integral part of
fundamental human rights
• The international community should promote
an effective international cooperation for the
realization of the right to development and the
elimination of obstacles to development
• Lasting progress towards the implementation
of the right to development requires effective
development policies at the national level,
as well as equitable economic relations and
a favourable economic environment at the
international level (para. 10)
1993- High Commissioner for • The General Assembly established the post of
present Human Rights and OHCHR High Commissioner for Human Rights in order,
inter alia, to promote and protect the realization
of the right to development and to enhance
support from relevant bodies of the United
Nations system for this purpose (resolution
48/141 of 7 January 1994, para. 4 (c))
• Subsequently, the General Assembly requested
the High Commissioner to mainstream the
right to development and effectively undertake
activities aimed at strengthening the global
partnership for development among Member
States, development agencies and the
international development, financial and trade
institutions (see its annual resolutions on the right
to development)
• The Human Rights Council requested OHCHR
to continue to report on its activities, including
on inter-agency coordination within the United
Nations system with regard to the promotion
and realization of the right to development
(resolution 19/34 of 23 March 2012)
1993- Open-ended Working Group • To identify obstacles to the implementation and
1995 of Governmental Experts on realization of the Declaration
the Right to Development • To recommend ways and means towards the
(15 experts) realization of the right to development by all
States (Commission resolution 1993/22)

33
1994 Cairo Programme of The right to development must be fulfilled so as
Action of the International to equitably meet the population, development
Conference on Population and and environment needs of present and future
Development generations
1995 Copenhagen Declaration Promoting the realization of the right to
on Social Development and development through strengthening democracy,
Programme of Action of the development and respect for human rights and
World Summit for Social fundamental freedoms and through effective
Development development policies at the national level, as well
as equitable economic relations and a favourable
economic environment at the international level
1995 Beijing Declaration and We reaffirm our commitment to the equal rights
Platform for Action, Fourth and inherent human dignity of women and men
World Conference on Women and other purposes and principles enshrined in
the Charter of the United Nations, to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and other international
human rights instruments, in particular …, as well as
… and the Declaration on the Right to Development
(para. 8)
1996- Intergovernmental Group • To elaborate a strategy for the implementation
1997 of Experts on the Right and promotion of the right to development
to Development (10 • To elaborate concrete and practical measures
experts) for the implementation and promotion of the right
(Commission resolution 1996/15)
1998- Open-ended Intergovernmental • To monitor and review progress made in the
present Working Group on the Right promotion and implementation of the right to
to Development development as elaborated in the Declaration,
at the national and international levels, providing
recommendations thereon and further analysing
obstacles to its full enjoyment, focusing each
year on specific commitments in the Declaration
• To review reports and any other information
submitted by States, United Nations agencies,
other relevant international organizations
and non-governmental organizations on the
relationship between their activities and the right
to development
• To present a sessional report on its deliberations,
including advice to the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights with regard to
the implementation of the right to development
and suggesting possible programmes of
technical assistance at the request of interested
countries with the aim of promoting the
implementation of the right to development
(Commission resolution 1998/72)
• To complete the tasks entrusted by the Council
in its resolution 4/4 (Human Rights Council
resolution 9/3 of 24 September 2008)

34
1998- Independent Expert of the To present to the intergovernmental Working
2003 Commission on Human Rights Group on the Right to Development at each
on the right to development, of its sessions a study on the current state of
Mr. Arjun Sengupta progress in the implementation of the right to
development as a basis for a focused discussion
(Commission resolution 1998/72)
2000 Millennium Declaration “We [Heads of State and Government] are
committed to making the right to development a
reality for everyone and to freeing the entire human
race from want” (para. 11)
2002 Monterrey Consensus of the Freedom, peace and security, domestic stability,
International Conference on respect for human rights, including the right
Financing for Development to development, and the rule of law, gender
equality, market-oriented policies, and an overall
commitment to just and democratic societies are
also essential and mutually reinforcing (para. 11)
2004 High-level seminar on the The seminar was organized on 9–10 February
right to development: Global 2004 as requested in Commission resolution
partnership for development 2003/83
2004 Arab Charter on Human Rights The right to development is a fundamental human
right and all States are required to establish the
development policies and to take the measures
needed to guarantee this right. They have a
duty to give effect to the values of solidarity and
cooperation among them and at the international
level with a view to eradicating poverty and
achieving economic, social, cultural and political
development. By virtue of this right, every citizen
has the right to participate in the realization of
development and to enjoy the benefits and fruits
thereof (art. 37)
2004- High-level task force on the To provide expert findings and recommendations to
2010 implementation of the right the intergovernmental Working Group on the Right
to development (5 experts) to Development (Commission resolution 2004/7)
2005 World Summit Outcome “We resolve further to strengthen the United
Nations human rights machinery with the aim of
ensuring effective enjoyment by all of all human
rights and civil, political, economic, social and
cultural rights, including the right to development”
(para. 123)
2007 United Nations Declaration “Indigenous peoples have the right to determine
on the Rights of Indigenous and develop priorities and strategies for exercising
Peoples their right to development. In particular, indigenous
peoples have the right to be actively involved in
developing and determining health, housing and
other economic and social programmes affecting
them and, as far as possible, to administer such
programmes through their own institutions” (art. 23)

35
2009 African Commission on The Commission found that the way in which the
Human and Peoples’ Rights Endorois, an indigenous community in Kenya, had
been dispossessed of their traditional lands and
denied access to resources constituted a violation
of their rights, including the right to development
under article 22 of the African Charter on Human
and Peoples’ Rights
2010 Outcome document of the “We also reaffirm the importance of freedom,
High-level Plenary Meeting of peace and security, respect for all human rights,
the General Assembly on the including the right to development, the rule of
Millennium Development Goals law, gender equality and an overall commitment
to just and democratic societies for development”
(para. 3)
2011 Istanbul Programme of Action “Equity at all levels is indispensable for the pursuit
for the Least Developed of long-term prosperity and the realization of all the
Countries for the Decade internationally recognized human rights, including
2011-2020 the right to development by all” (para. 29 (f))
2011 Human rights treaty bodies The Chairs of the human rights treaty bodies
made a joint statement: “we are resolved to make
a concerted effort to promote a development-
informed and interdependence-based reading of
all human rights treaties, so as to highlight and
emphasize the relevance and importance of the
right to development in interpreting and applying
human rights treaty provisions and in monitoring
compliance with these provisions”.
(See the OHCHR website for the full text)
2011 United Nations system Eighteen organizations of the United Nations
system issued a joint statement: “Since 1986, this
Declaration has provided normative underpinnings
for a human-centred approach to development.
Human development and human rights are
embedded and reinforce each other conceptually
and in practice, helping to secure the well-being
and dignity of all people”. (See the OHCHR
website for the full text)
2012 The Doha Mandate, thirteenth “Development strategies should be inclusive
session of the United Nations and designed to meet human needs. … People
Conference on Trade and have similar needs and aspirations, including
Development freedom, human rights including the right to
development, …” (para. 9)
2012 “The future we want”, “We [the Heads of State and Government
outcome document of the and high-level representatives] also reaffirm the
United Nations Conference importance of freedom, peace and security,
on Sustainable Development respect for all human rights, including the right
(“Rio+20”) to development and the right to an adequate
standard of living, …” (para. 8)

36
2012 ASEAN Human Rights The Declaration devotes a section to the right
Declaration to development (see arts. 35–37) and states,
inter alia, that ASEAN member States should
“mainstream the multidimensional aspects of the
right to development into the relevant areas of
ASEAN community building and beyond, and shall
work with the international community to promote
equitable and sustainable development, fair trade
practices and effective international cooperation”
2012 Quadrennial comprehensive This document provides policy guidance for
policy review of operational the United Nations operational activities for
activities for development of development. It reaffirms “the importance of
the United Nations system freedom, peace and security, respect for all
(General Assembly resolution human rights, including the right to development
67/226) and the right to an adequate standard of living,
including the right to food, the rule of law, gender
equality, women’s empowerment and the overall
commitment to just and democratic societies for
development” (preamble)
2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda “We, the Heads of State and Government and
of the Third International High Representatives, … commit to respecting all
Conference on Financing for human rights, including the right to development”
Development (para. 1)
2015 2030 Agenda for Sustainable • “The new Agenda is … informed by other
Development, the Sustainable instruments such as the Declaration on the Right
Development Goals to Development” (para. 10)
• “The new Agenda recognizes the need to build
peaceful, just and inclusive societies that provide
equal access to justice and that are based on
respect for human rights (including the right to
development), on effective rule of law and good
governance at all levels and on transparent,
effective and accountable institutions” (para. 35)

37
 Key elements of the Declaration on the Right to Development

1. Development is a human right that belongs to all individuals and peoples

without discrimination (preamble, art. 1)
2. The right to development aims at the constant improvement of the well-being
of the entire population and of all individuals, and gives everyone the right
to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and
political development (preamble, art. 2)
3. The human person is the central subject, active participant and beneficiary
of the right to development, and is entitled to free, active and meaningful
participation in development (preamble, art. 2)
4. Development is a comprehensive process that advances all interdependent,
interrelated and indivisible human rights and fundamental freedoms (pream-
ble, arts. 1–2 and 6)
5. The right to development recognizes the right of peoples to self-determination
and their right to full sovereignty over all their natural wealth and resources
(preamble, art. 1 (2))
6. The right to development promotes international peace and security, devel-
opment and human rights (preamble, art. 7)
7. The right to development requires the fair distribution of the benefits of
development, including income, and equal opportunity in access to basic
resources and services (preamble, arts. 2 and 8)
8. Women must have an active role in the development process (art. 8)
9. Equality of opportunity for development is a prerogative both of nations and
of individuals who make up nations, and the right to development calls for
sustained action for the comprehensive development of developing countries
(preamble, arts. 4 and 7)
10. States have a duty to cooperate effectively to establish an enabling environ-
ment for development and to eliminate obstacles to development (preamble,
arts. 3–4 and 6)
11. States acting individually and collectively bear the primary responsibility
for guaranteeing the right to development, and all human beings have
a responsibility for development and duties to the community (preamble,
arts. 2–3)
12. The right to development requires an appropriate political, social and eco-
nomic order for development, appropriate national and international devel-
opment policies and appropriate economic and social reforms to eradicate
social injustice (preamble, arts. 2–4, 8 and 10)

38
Human Rights Fact Sheets*
No. 37 Frequently Asked Questions on the Right to Development
No. 36 Human Rights and Human Trafficking
No. 35 The Right to Water
No. 34 The Right to Adequate Food
No. 33 Frequently Asked Questions on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
No. 32 Human Rights, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism
No. 31 The Right to Health
No. 30 The United Nations Human Rights Treaty System (Rev.1)
No. 29 Human Rights Defenders: Protecting the Right to Defend Human Rights
No. 28 The Impact of Mercenary Activities on the Right of Peoples to
Self-determination
No. 27 Seventeen Frequently Asked Questions about United Nations Special
Rapporteurs
No. 26 The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
No. 25 Forced Evictions (Rev.1)
No. 24 The International Convention on Migrant Workers and its Committee
(Rev.1)
No. 23 Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children
No. 22 Discrimination against Women: The Convention and the Committee
No. 21 The Right to Adequate Housing (Rev.1)
No. 20 Human Rights and Refugees
No. 19 National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
No. 18 Minority Rights (Rev.1)
No. 17 The Committee against Torture
No. 16 The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Rev.1)
No. 15 Civil and Political Rights: The Human Rights Committee (Rev.1)
No. 14 Contemporary Forms of Slavery
No. 13 International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
No. 12 The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
No. 11 Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions (Rev.1)
No. 10 The Rights of the Child (Rev.1)
No. 9 Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Human Rights System (Rev.2)
No. 7 Individual Complaint Procedures under the United Nations Human
Rights Treaties (Rev.2)
No. 6 Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (Rev.3)
No. 4 Combating Torture (Rev.1)
No. 3 Advisory Services and Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human
Rights (Rev.1)
No. 2 The International Bill of Human Rights (Rev.1)

*
Fact sheets Nos. 1, 5 and 8 are no longer issued. All fact sheets are available online from
[Link].

39
The Human Rights Fact Sheet series is published by the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Office at Ge-
neva. It deals with selected questions of human rights that are under active
consideration or are of particular interest.
Human Rights Fact Sheets are intended to assist an ever-wider audience in
better understanding basic human rights, what the United Nations is doing
to promote and protect them, and the international machinery available to
help realize those rights. Human Rights Fact Sheets are free of charge and
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Enquiries should be addressed to:

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