HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 - UNITE D NATION S - OHCHR
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U N I T E D N AT I O N S
HUM AN RIGHTS
APPE AL 2020
U N I T E D N AT I O N S
HUM AN RIGHTS
APPE AL 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER 4
2. UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 6
3. ROADMAP TO 2021 10
4. UN HUMAN RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD IN 2020 38
5. FUNDING AND BUDGET 40
6. TRUST FUNDS 50
7. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 52
8. ANNEXES 54
. OHCHR MANAGEMENT PLAN 2018-2021
- ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON CLIMATE CHANGE
- ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON DIGITAL SPACE AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES
- ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON CORRUPTION
- ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON INEQUALITIES
- ELEMENTS FOCUSED ON PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
. UN HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION CHART
. ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 3
FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
FOREWORD BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
It is an honour to present the annual Human rights work is In the following pages, we outline the I believe that today’s challenges mean our
appeal of my Office for 2020. My first year strategies and partnerships we are expertise is vitally needed. We appreciate
as High Commissioner has reaffirmed my an investment. It is an devising to tackle these challenges. To the support we have received from our
conviction that your political and financial investment many of you successfully deliver real human rights 78 donors in 2019, 63 of them being
investment is crucial for the success impact in these areas, we know we also Member States. The US$172.1 million
in our efforts to promote and protect have chosen to make, in need to align our organizational processes they provided to the Office constituted a
human rights. order to ensure greater and working methods – to foster more small, but worrying decrease of some 8
innovation, cross-cutting teamwork, per cent from contributions in 2018*. I am
Fostering peaceful societies and justice, security and and fluid communication across all our also concerned that many contributions
sustainable development begins with
steps to support and promote human sustainable development teams, including in the field. Mindful of continue to be earmarked, hampering
the complexity of each of these issues, our ability to use these funds rapidly
rights. By bringing States, civil society, across the world. as well as the connections between and effectively. Most importantly, at this
business actors and many others together
them, we will also be deepening our work level of under-funding, UN Human Rights
behind the universal commitment to
programmes grounded in human rights with the Human Rights Council’s Special cannot respond positively to all the
rights, we can address the root causes of
principles, analysis and guidance can Procedures, and the Treaty Bodies. requests for assistance that we receive in
the crises that challenge our societies.
constitute the most effective approaches any given year.
As you read through some of the
The advocacy, monitoring and technical to each of these issues.
examples of the work we have begun – We can do better – with your help. On
cooperation advanced by my Office in
These are policy areas which involve from analysing the gender-differentiated behalf of all the people we work through,
2019 has generated progress for people
multiple, complex risks that cross effects of climate change, to bringing tech with and for, I extend sincere thanks to
around the world. We will continue to
cultures, national boundaries and legal companies and NGOs together to discuss all our donors. Your support is crucial to
advance under the pillars that shape our
jurisdictions. Although they can be practical action to address online abuses everything we do.
work: our support for the international
conceived as separate issues, they are – I encourage you to consider how you
human rights mechanisms; our efforts
intertwined – forming tight knots that can best further our work to prevent and
to drive mainstreaming of human rights
strangle the freedom and dignity of defuse threats; protect the vulnerable;
within the UN’s development and
individuals, and the peace and sustainable promote human right s principles
peace and security efforts; and our
development of societies. of transparency, par ticipation and
work to help States fulfil the core human
accountability; and expand our impact.
rights principles of non-discrimination, We cannot tackle climate change,
accountability and participation. vast movements of people, rising Human rights work is an investment.
tensions and conflicts or sustainable It is an investment many of you have
New issues are surging forward to
development unless we also deal with chosen to make, in order to ensure
challenge human rights – and old issues
corruption and inequalities. Resolving greater justice, security and sustainable
continue to create suffering. This appeal
the interlocking issues, which shape development across the world. My Office
highlights the five “frontier” issues in
and accentuate inequalities is a vital is a tool – a uniquely qualified resource
which we are strengthening our work, and
part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable for governments, institutions and people
where the human rights agenda can have
Development – an unprecedented, once around the world, which monitors and
powerful impact in improving lives.
in a lifetime opportunity to end extreme analyses human rights situations and
Climate change, digital space, inequalities, poverty on the basis of a cooperative topics; and, based on that work, assists
corruption, and human rights concerns and global plan. And this, in turn, will the global community to fulfil rights
related to the displacement and movement require comprehensive work to advance more effectively. MICHELLE BACHELET
of people constitute forceful challenges the whole spectrum of rights – including United Nations
* Figures are estimated as of 15 December 2019 and will
to the inalienable human rights of every economic, social, cultural, civil and High Commissioner
be adjusted and confirmed upon the final closure of the
person. At the same time, policies and political rights, by working in synergy. 2019 accounts. for Human Rights
4 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 5
UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019
UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 Highlights in 2019
Mandate
Promote and protect all MEMBER STATE COOPERATION
human rights for all
39
treaty actions
3,027 128
State party reports reviewed by
2 signatures 55 countries visited official documents produced the treaty bodies with
Rationalize, adapt, strengthen Recommend that bodies of for meetings of human
and streamline the United the United Nations system 19 ratifications over 68 rights mechanisms, General 7 States parties visited
Nations human rights improve the promotion and visits by special Assembly and ECOSOC by the Subcommittee on
machinery protection of all human rights 18 accessions procedures mandates Prevention of Torture
PEOPLE CENTRED
Coordinate human rights Promote and protect
promotion and protection
activities throughout the
Mandate of the
the right to development
35,997 8,59 4
77
United Nations system fellows (41 female and 36 male) from
victims of torture in victims of contemporary forms indigenous, Afrodescendant and minority
United Nations High 77 countries received of slavery in 23 countries communities in 56 countries, participated in
rehabilitation support obtained assistance the UN Human Rights Fellowship Programme
Commissioner for
Enhance international
Human Rights HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS INTEGRATION IN THE UN
cooperation for the General Assembly Provide technical
promotion and protection of
all human rights
resolution 48/141 assistance to States for
human rights activities
Support to
the work of
92 12 36
172 treaty
body experts during
resolutions
adopted by the
23,645
submissions related to
Human Rights
Components in UN
Human Rights Advisers
(14 female and
Engage in dialogue with Coordinate United Nations
21 sessions Human Rights
Council
individual complaints and Peace Missions,
including 577 staff
22 male) deployed in
UN Country Teams
for a total of Committee on Enforced
governments in order to secure human rights education and Disappearances urgent supported by UN under the framework
respect for all human rights public information programmes 76 weeks actions received Human Rights of the UNSDG
CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT
Work actively to remove obstacles
to the realization of human rights
and to prevent the continuation of
2,521
Over
2,420 251
grants awarded to civil society
human rights violations organizations, NHRIs and academic
Oral statements delivered by participants in the 8th
institutions for a total amount of
NGOs during Human Rights Forum on Business and
Council sessions Human Rights $11,539,113
Data available at the time of printing
6 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 7
UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019 UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN 2019
Global presence in 2019 2019 Funding overview
STAFF GENDER DISTRIBUTION BUDGET
DONORS
81 + 1 (2 locations)
REGULAR BUDGET
ALLOCATION
FIELD PRESENCES HQ Unmet extrabudgetary
requirements 78 donors
56% 44% $106.9m* $149.4m
of which 63 are
Member States
1,425 142
EXTRABUDGETARY
REQUIREMENTS
HQ
STAFF NATIONALITIES
63% 37% Voluntary contributions $321.5m BREAKDOWN BY
AMONG STAFF FIELD received GEOGRAPHIC GROUP
47% 53% $172.1m
+ + GENERAL SERVICE 3
33 577 53% 47%
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
African Group
JPOs SPONSORED BY STAFF IN PEACE PROFESSIONAL AND ABOVE
13 MEMBER STATES MISSIONS 57% 43% TOTAL AMOUNT BREAKDOWN OF DONORS BY BRACKETS
RECEIVED OF CONTRIBUTIONS
P1 50% 50% 15
P2 67% 33% $172.1m $10-20m (57.9%**)
EC, Norway, USA, Sweden,
Netherlands, Denmark *** Asia-Pacific Group
P3 62% 38%
P4 52% 48%
60% P5 39% 61%
14
D1 29% 71%
Eastern
40% D2
ASG
67%
50%
33%
50%
52.8 (31%)
Unearmarked
European Group
USG 100% 119.3 (69%)
Earmarked
6
international staff national staff Latin American and
40.1% Caribbean Group
STAFF IN THE FIELD HQ
55% HQ 59.9%
Field
25
UNDP (UN pooled and trust Western European
45% 13.5% Africa $5-10m (20.8%**) funds funding), UK, Switzerland,
Germany *** and Others Group
* The 2019 regular budget allotment reflects
12% Americas
55% a number of across-the-board reductions of
between 5 and 25 per cent on several budget
lines decided by the General Assembly.
15
7% Middle East & North Africa Finland, Belgium, France, Ireland, non-state donors
** Of total amount of voluntary $2-5m (12.4%**) Rep. of Korea, UAE, New Zealand,
contributions/*** Donors are listed Russian Federation *** (private, multilateral
6.5% Asia Pacific according to their level of contribution.
donors, etc.)
Australia, Canada, Spain, Italy,
field staff HQ staff Figures are estimated as of 15 December $1-2m (5.6%**) Saudi Arabia, UNOPS, ILO ***
2019 and will be adjusted and confirmed upon
6% Europe & Central Asia the final closure of the 2019 accounts. Less than $1m (3.3%**) Other donors
8 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 9
ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP
CHAPTER
TOTITLE
2021
ROADMAP TO 2021 Theory of change
This Annual Appeal presents the financial requirements of our work in 2020, under
the Secretary General’s Strategic Framework and as guided by our Management
Plan (OMP) through to the end of 2021. The Plan provides a robust results framework
• Provide expert legal advice on • Communicate • Facilitate dialogue between diverse
based on six Pillars, four Shifts and three Spotlights. human rights issues stakeholders on human rights issues
WHAT WE • Monitor and publicly report on
DO • Facilitate learning and human rights situations • Build networks and alliances to
OMP at a glance n f l i c t , v i o l e n ce a n d i n
knowledge transfer
• Advocate for human rights
extend human rights promotion and
protection
e n t co s e cu • Deliver human rights education
P r ev ri t y • Directly protect civil society
• Enable the functioning of the
• Raise human rights awareness members and human rights
international human rights
defenders
mechanisms
WOMEN
ACCOUNTABILITY
ve
mo e
Strengthening the
he c
n t spa
rule of law and
• To strengthen the rule of law and • To enhance equality and counter • To support early warning, prevent
l e o t al
accountability for
e o p igi
human rights accountability for human rights discrimination violence, and protect human rights in
s , p g e, d
violations OUR PILLARS violations situation of conflict and insecurity
• To integrate human rights in
huma gies, corruption, inequ ate chan
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN • To enhance and protect civic space sustainable development • To implement the outcomes
RIGHTS MECHANISMS PARTICIPATION and public participation of international human rights
alit ie
Inreasing implementation Enhancing and protecting mechanisms more fully
of the international human civic space and people’s
n r i g h t s co n ce r n s : c l i m
rights mechanisms’ participation
outcomes
E x p a n d c i v i c s p a ce
HUMAN RIGHTS
YOUNG FOR EVERYONE
PEOPLE
EVERYWHERE • State laws and policies protect and women and members of groups • Global and regional human rights
promote human rights facing discrimination mechanisms and bodies promote
and protect human rights effectively
o
hnol
• State institutions, non-state actors • Public support grows for protection
PEACE AND SECURITY and the private sector promote, of human rights • International human rights law and
THE
em in g te c
Supporting early warning, NON-
g
protect and respect human rights standards progress
n
DISCRIMINATION RESULTS WE • Human rights are effectively
i
prevention and protection
erg
of human rights in Enhancing equality CONTRIBUTE • State accountability mechanisms integrated in UN policies and • Member States and other actors
g
p lo emer
situations of conflict and and countering TO monitor, investigate and provide programmes engage with United Nations human
e
insecurity discrimination redress for human rights violations rights mechanisms
r
E d
• The international community
an
x
• Public participation in policy-making responds effectively to critical
DEVELOPMENT processes grows, particularly by human rights situations and issues
Integrating human PERSONS WITH
rights in sustainable DISABILITIES
development
B ro
ade Spotlights
n th ts
e glo an ri g h
b a l co n s t i
tuenc y f o r hum Shifts GOAL
ALL HUMAN RIGHTS ARE ACHIEVED FOR ALL
Pillars
10 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 11
ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
“Frontier” issues: exploring
emerging human rights concerns
To leverage greater human rights impact, We examine all our work through the
we seek to “shift” our overall approach lens of these “frontier” concerns. We
to obtain greater coherence across all we work with the international human rights
do, wherever we do it. To this end, in each mechanisms to identify opportunities
of our six pillars, we integrate focused to fill associated protection gaps. We
emphasis on four “shift” areas. These explore associated implications in the
shifts help to better focus and unite our contexts of development and peace and
efforts across and within the pillars so security and we work to bring the princi-
that, as one Office, we deepen our ex- ples of accountability, participation and
pertise, strengthen our partnerships and non-discrimination alive in the context of
scale up our human rights results. these issues.
In the 2018-2021 period, one of the areas Our aim is to increase human rights exper-
we are shifting our focus on are emerging tise on frontier issues, explore their human
human rights concerns (“frontier” issues). rights dimensions, and call for human
rights solutions that emphasize the par-
Many of the complex challenges that
ticipation of affected people themselves.
the world faces also have critical human
“We will not solve our rights dimensions that, if left unseen or
UN Human Rights worked with local artists in Senegal to draw wall paintings promoting respect and human dignity. © OHCHR/Cheikh Sow misunderstood, will hamper efforts to find
problems in isolation. (human rights-based) solutions. For this
To be sustainable and reason, over the coming years, we will
also focus on new “frontiers” for human
effective, solutions to rights – issues whose connections with
complex global issues human rights are not well understood or
well documented.
– like climate change,
The “frontier” issues on which we are fo-
global inequalities, the cusing are climate change, digital space,
mass movement of inequality, corruption and people on
the move.
people, transboundary
conflicts or epidemics –
must be cooperative.”
Michelle Bachelet, UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights
12 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 13
ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
TRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL
S ment of environmental organizations with
ACTION THROUGH HUMAN RIGHTS human rights mechanisms and vice versa.
CLIMATE CHANGE MECHANISMS For example, in the Pacific, the Office will
undertake such work with Fiji, Marshall
The Human Rights Council, its special pro- Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu and in 2020
cedures mechanisms, the human rights specifically, provide training on national
treaty bodies, and the Office have brought reporting in Cook Islands, New Zealand,
renewed attention to the relevance of Niue, Samoa and Tonga.
human rights in the context of climate
change and environmental degradation
through a series of resolutions, reports, ARTNERING FOR RIGHTS-BASED
P
RESPONSES TO PROTECT THE
and activities on the subject, and by advo-
ENVIRONMENT AND ENSURE SUS-
cating for a human rights-based approach TAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
to all climate action.
Several important developments took Ensuring sustainable development that
place in recent years. These included benefits all people involves addres-
the adoption of Human Rights Council sing environmental harms and building
resolution 40/11 on environmental hu- community resilience based on human
man rights defenders in 2019 and the rights. The implementation of the Paris
Human Rights Committee’s general com- Agreement and of the 2030 Agenda for
ment 36 (2018) on the right to life, which Sustainable Development presents a
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet meets Greta Thunberg at COP 25 in Madrid, 10 December 2019. ©OHCHR explicitly references the environment unique opportunity to foster this at the
and climate change, as well as reports, national and international levels. The
joint statements and country visits by High Commissioner, who has called for
special procedures mechanisms, which global recognition of the human right to
focused on the human rights impacts of a healthy environment, including through
climate change. her statement to the Human Rights Coun-
With the implementation of the Paris cil focusing on climate change, is leading
Climate change is the defining issue of our In 2020, we will assist human rights The Office will also advocate on behalf
Agreement, focus and action shifts to the directly the Office’s engagement on this
time. The world has never seen a threat to mechanisms in the application of their of environmental human rights defen-
national level, including the nationally front.
people of this scope. Climate change is mandates to the context of climate change ders and support efforts by the UN
increasingly impacting the effective en- and environmental degradation; and help system to protect them; support Member determined contributions that embody a In 2019, UN Human Rights signed a
joyment of a broad range of human rights build capacity of human rights and envi- States in developing rights-based ap- country’s efforts to reduce emissions and Memorandum of Understanding with UN
including those to water and sanitation, ronmental defenders, civil society and proaches to environmental and climate adapt to the impacts of climate change. Environment to advance together our
housing, food, health, development and government officials to monitor, research action; and conduct research and ad- In this context, it is even more crucial to work on human rights and the environ-
even life itself. Those who have contri- and advocate on the linkages between vocacy to address human rights harms work with domestic institutions to support ment. With support from the Office, the
buted the least to climate change are climate change and human rights. in this context, particularly to groups in effective follow-up on country-specific UN Environment Assembly adopted its
often those most affected by it. In line vulnerable situations. recommendations of UN human rights me- first resolution 4/17 on women’s rights and
The Office will continue to collaborate chanisms. This deepening engagement
with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable gender equality. UN Human Rights sup-
with partners to integrate human rights by human rights mechanisms with climate
Development and the Preamble of the ported the launch of UN Environment’s
standards in climate change laws and change is critical to make sure that no one
Paris Agreement on climate change, UN Environmental Rights Initiative, which
policies, including in adaptation and mit- is left behind.
Human Rights’ aim is to ensure that human specifically focuses on environmental
igation measures, and advocate for the
rights inform the implementation of the In the next two years, the Office will pro- human rights defenders. The Office also
inclusion of all people in relevant deci-
Paris Agreement so that mitigation and vide strategic guidance on integration of organized workshops on human rights and
sion-making processes as well as for their
adaptation measures are shaped by and environmental issues in national report- climate change with the Paris Committee
access to information and effective reme-
accountable to affected communities. ing to human rights mechanisms and on Capacity-Building at the United Na-
dies for victims.
guidance and tools to support the engage- tions Framework Convention on Climate
14 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 Human Rights Mechanisms Development UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 15
ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
Change (UNFCCC) and on integrating AKING EARLY ACTION ON CLIMATE
T Office will continue its ongoing work to ROTECTING VULNERABLE GROUPS
P placed by climate change. In the Pacific
human rights in nationally determined THROUGH EARLY WARNING AND ensure that early warning and prevention AGAINST THE ADVERSE HUMAN specifically, the Office will work on build-
contributions. The Office further support- PREVENTION efforts address the human rights impacts RIGHTS IMPACTS OF CLIMATE ing and strengthening alliances for climate
CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ed to the development of the UN system of periodic flooding and storm surges in justice, partnering with human rights
DEGRADATION
model approach to environmental and so- The Office will work to enhance under- low-lying coastal areas. The Regional and environmental defenders, including
cial safeguards and called for the effective standing of climate change as a threat Office for Southern Africa will hold a ca- young people.
regulation of businesses to limit environ- multiplier, and as a driver of inequality, pacity-building workshop and training for Effective climate adaptation measures will
Focusing on climate impacts, the Office
mental harms. conflict and humanitarian crises. These the environmental human rights defen- be those that empower women, indige-
will continue to reinforce efforts to pro-
efforts will emphasise the importance of ders in the region, in follow-up to its 2019 nous peoples, youth and others who live in
In 2020, UN Human Rights will undertake mote the rights of people on the move. We
a rights-based and gender-sensitive pre- study, which identified environmental vulnerable areas, many of whom are mem-
work in Colombia, Guinea, Liberia and will also work to prevent conflict, improve
vention agenda that protects persons in human rights defenders and leaders of bers of marginalised and discriminated
Madagascar related to the environmental early warning, expand civil society space,
vulnerable situations. The Office will ad- social movements related to the mining communities. This requires governments
impacts of mining and continue ongo- strengthen human rights mechanisms,
vocate for rights-based early warning and industry to be at particular risk of human to involve these communities in seeking
ing work on the human rights impact of reduce inequalities, address multiple
prevention efforts, including measures to rights harm. solutions and to dedicate resources to
mega-infrastructure projects, including and intersecting forms of discrimination,
ensure early warning information about upholding their rights, including through
hydro-electric dams in Guatemala and Working to mainstream human rights and implement the 2030 Agenda. For
climate effects and extreme weather equitable and improved access to social
Mexico. The UN Human Rights Regional and strengthen partnerships for the in- example, our field presences in Brazil,
events is available to all sectors of soci- protection and a just transition towards
Offices for East Africa and Southern Af- tegration of human rights in climate and Cambodia and Mexico will continue to
ety. We will work to ensure that adaptation greener jobs.
rica will examine the impacts of climate environmental action, the Office will work on indigenous peoples’ land rights
change on food security. In the Pacific, the and mitigation plans are developed in reinforce the efforts of the UN system, in- In the past year, we have prepared a num- with support from ongoing processes
Office will convene a Regional Pacific Busi- consultation with affected groups, pub- cluding UN Country Teams and relevant ber of reports on the gender-differentiated within the human rights system, includ-
ness and Human Rights Forum in order to licly available, and transparently financed. human rights mechanisms, to respond to impacts of climate change, made submis- ing the elaboration by the Committee on
promote exchanges of experiences be- For example, in the Pacific, the Office will the protection needs of environmental hu- sions to the UNFCCC regarding renewal Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CE-
tween State authorities, National Human convene a Small Atoll meeting in the Re- man rights defenders and help promote and extension of its Gender Action Plan, SCR) of a general comment on the right
Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society public of the Marshall Islands focusing on protection of the environment. supported the work of the local commu- to land and a study on land by the Expert
organizations (CSOs) and the private sec- the Member States – Kiribati, Republic of nities and indigenous peoples platform Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous
tor. The focus will be the relevance to the the Marshall Islands, Maldives and Tuva- at the UNFCCC, participated in the first Peoples (EMRIP). Our East Africa Regional
‘green’ and ‘blue’ economies of the UN lu – at the forefront of the most profound meeting of the signatories to the Esca- Office will carry out work on the impacts
Guiding Principles on Business and Hu- impacts of climate change. In Liberia, the zú Agreement, contributed to the Youth of climate change on the livelihoods and
man Rights (UNGPs). “Among the many Climate Summit, and co-convened the rights of women and girls.
Peoples’ Summit on Climate, Rights and
The Office is also enhancing engagement human rights challenges Human Survival. All of these efforts aimed
We will promote the equitable distri-
with the wider UN system to better inte- that have been at strengthening protection for groups in
bution of the benefits of sustainable
grate human rights in the areas of food development and the meaningful and
metastasizing during the vulnerable situations and promoting their
security, water and sanitation, and hou- effective participation of all persons in en-
participation, access to information and
sing and land, with a common focus on first two decades of the justice in the context of environmental de-
vironmental decision-making processes,
addressing and mitigating the impact of with the objective of protecting the rights
climate change. 21st century, the global cision-making. In 2020, we will continue
of persons disproportionately affected
this work with a particular focus on the
In the next two years, we will continue climate emergency rights of persons with disabilities.
by environmental harms and addressing
the root causes of their exclusion and
our work to mainstream human rights in presents perhaps the In 2020, the West Africa Regional Office disadvantage. We will continue our work
multilateral environmental agreements, to
strengthen partnerships for the integration most profound planet- will begin a new project on climate-re- to promote access to information and ac-
lated displacement in the Sahel, and cess to justice in environmental matters,
of human rights in environmental action wide threat to human the East Africa Regional Office will con- including through our field presences in
and to support efforts to advance the
global recognition and implementation of rights that we have seen tinue to work on climate change, trade the Latin American and Caribbean region
and human rights. UN Human Rights’ in support of ratification, and implementa-
the human right to a healthy environment. since World War II.” regional offices in Southeast Asia and tion of the Escazú Regional Agreement on
A UN Human Rights Officer talks to fishermen and taro farmers in Palau
about linkages between climate change and the negative impacts on their Michelle Bachelet, UN High the Pacific will continue addressing the Access to Information, Public Participation
communities' human rights. ©OHCHR Commissioner for Human Rights human rights situations of persons dis- and Justice in Environmental Matters in
16 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 Peace and Security Non-Discrimination UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 17ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
Latin America and the Caribbean, adopted In 2020, UN Human Rights will also con-
in March 2018. The Office contributed to tinue to provide legal advice and technical
UN HUMAN RIGHTS BRINGS TOGETHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO ADDRESS ACCELERATING CLIMATE CRISIS
the negotiations of the Escazú Agreement support to Member States on human
IN THE PACIFIC
and has actively engaged with the UN rights obligations and human rights-com-
Economic Commission for Latin America pliant climate action, including by drawing
Pacific islanders are already experiencing “This important meeting in a region en- and international fora to help address the
and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and a number on the expertise of the human rights me-
the tragic effects of climate change on their dangered by the consequences of climate phenomenon.
of Member States to promote its ratifica- chanisms and facilitating international
daily lives. Reduced access to water and change is most welcome,” said High
tion and entry into force. cooperation and experience sharing. The In her message to the conference partici-
food insecurity means more and more peo- Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, as she
Office will conduct research and advo- pants, Bachelet urged that immediate steps
ple have been forced to leave their homes. opened the conference via video message.
cacy to address the human rights harms are taken to address the crisis: “We are
NSURING ACCOUNTABILITY AND
E
Land used for traditional agriculture has “The people of small island States are
caused by climate change and environ- facing an emergency. An emergency that
ACCESS TO REMEDIES FOR CLIMATE been eroded, crops have been damaged amongst those immediately affected, with
mental degradation, particularly in relation threatens immense damage to your unique
CHANGE HARMS and many have lost their livelihoods. a daily impact on the effective enjoyment
to groups in vulnerable situations. Such islands and the cultures your communities
of the rights to water and sanitation, health,
research and advocacy will include provi- Predictions by climate scientists say the preserve and cherish. The international
education, food, work, adequate housing
In the past year, the Office worked with a sion of strategic guidance on integrating crisis will devastate future generations. community has an obligation to take action
and the right to self-determination.”
number of NHRIs and government entities human rights standards in environmen- However, human rights have been notably to stop the climate crisis from deepening
to increase their capacity to ensure ac- tal laws and policies, and promotion of absent from ongoing climate discussions. The conference provided a knowl- – and to provide resources and technical
countability and provide better access to international human rights law as a tool edge-sharing platform for stakeholders support for your adaptation efforts.”
UN Human Rights has been exploring
remedies for human rights impacts of cli- to establish legal standing in court and from and outside of the region by bringing
potential strategies and solutions to help
mate change. UN Human Rights continued obtain redress for human rights violations climate change and human rights practi-
address the crisis. In July 2019, the Office
its efforts to support the climate justice linked to environmental harms. tioners together, thus preparing the ground
convened the inaugural Human Rights and “This conference has been
movement and protect environmental for future UN Human Rights’ work in build-
Climate Change Conference in Nadi, Fiji,
human rights defenders and helped to bringing together representatives from 14
ing effective alliances for climate action. insightful for seeing ways that
promote accountability for perpetrators Pacific nations, as well as civil society or- “In recent years, the Pacific region has we can strengthen human
of environmental harms. In the coming ganisations, private sector and National taken a global lead in recognising the right mechanisms to be able
years, the Office will support Southeast Human Rights Institutions. The conference realities of climate change and in taking to address human rights
Asian and Pacific countries by providing explored the linkages between climate measures for climate resilience, mitigation violations as a result of climate
technical assistance to NHRIs at natio-
nal and regional levels in monitoring and
change and human rights, and the rele- and adaptation,” Bachelet added. crisis, and it will be useful in
vance of this to government policies. our work tomorrow and in
advocating economic, social and cultural The participants highlighted the impor-
rights, in the context of climate change. tance of adopting a human rights-based the future.”
Similar work will be carried out in Guate- and people-centred approach to addres- Mr. Lavetanalagi Seruiraduvatu,
mala, Mexico and Uruguay. sing the climate crisis, placing gender, Coordinator, Alliance for Future
“I really enjoyed and learnt socio-economic and ecological justice at Generations, Fiji
To ensure accountability, we will continue
to advocate for access of civil society to
from the Commissioner from the centre of climate responses.
environmental forums, decision-making the National Human Rights At the national level, this requires Pacific
processes, information, justice and effec- Commission of the Philippines, stakeholders to consider the human rights
tive remedies. In so doing, the Office will who shared their experience implications of climate-induced migration;
promote the equal, meaningful, informed on holding a national enquiry to prioritise the plight of low-lying atoll
and effective participation of all persons in on climate change. There countries; to develop strategies that em-
environmental decision-making process- power communities and ensure meaningful
is a clear linkage between
es, particularly those disproportionately participation of all in the formulation and
climate change violations and implementation of climate policies; and to
affected by environmental harms, and pro-
mote access to information, justice and
human rights.” collaborate with other stakeholders to mo-
effective remedies related to environmen- Ms. Loukinikini Vili, Director Office of bilise resources for climate action.
tal actions and harms. the Ombudsman, NHRI Samoa
Globally, stakeholders can and should uti-
lise all available human rights mechanisms © OHCHR
18 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 Accountability UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 19ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
UILDING TECH PARTNERSHIPS TO
B COMBATTING DISCRIMINATION
COMBAT INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE ONLINE
DIGITAL SPACE AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Over the course of 2019, UN Human Unequal access to technologies and
Rights established pilot partnerships increasingly powerful algorithms can
must recognize and assume their respon- with tech labs from leading universities deepen discrimination and inequality.
sibilities to respect and protect human to enhance our field monitoring and in- New data-driven technologies affect
rights in line with international human vestigations, strengthening the capacity the enjoyment of human rights in many
rights norms and standards. of human rights teams, for example, in ways, impacting diverse areas from health
UN Human Rights is working to foster the Central African Republic to monitor care and education to financial mar-
cross-sector dialogue to address these online hate speech, and in the State of kets, welfare delivery and police work.
challenges. Our authority and experience Palestine* to integrate data from open Women, racial and ethnic minorities, the
can be applied to help strengthen public sources into monitoring. In the framework
poor, human rights defenders and many
policy regimes and company practices, of the Secretary-General’s Strategy and
others are among the victims of discrimi-
both to avoid harm as well as to leverage Action Plan on Hate Speech, we will ex-
natory outcomes from artificial intelligence
new tools in support of rights. As a global pand these partnerships in 2020. This will
(AI)-powered tools – and yet, the same
leader and convener on human rights, we include supporting efforts by the United
technology may assist in assessing and
can also help leverage new technologies Nations Organization Stabilization Mission
addressing human rights violations.
to advance human rights everywhere, in the Democratic Republic of the Con-
for everyone. go (MONUSCO) to monitor hate speech In 2020, the Office will enhance its efforts
and a partnership with UN Global Pulse to to promote human rights-based gover-
develop a technological tool to enhance nance frameworks and policies that may
OWARDS A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED
T monitoring and analysis of hate speech by serve, in particular, to prevent and counter
APPROACH FOR TECH COMPANIES UN field presences. We will also strength- discriminatory outcomes of AI-powered
en our engagement on cybersecurity programmes. The Office will also work in
In rural Tunisia, thanks to advocacy work by UN Human
Rights for a change in the law, women working in agriculture Building on our extensive engagement issues to ensure that related policies are partnership with academia and the UN
Digital technology offers the world un-
now have access to social security and are able to pay their
with tech companies in recent years, and centred on protecting and promoting hu- system (including through EQUALS, The
social charges through their mobile phones. precedented opportunities. It is driving
with a growing uptake of human rights man rights. Global Partnership for Gender Equality
©OHCHR/ Moadh Grami widespread social change and can play a
critical role in building prosperity, protect- principles in tech companies’ policy deve- in the Digital Age), in research and advo-
ing our environment, and securing peace. lopment and practice, we will launch our cacy for international human rights law to
However, new technologies also bring B-Tech project – a project for application serve as a fundamental reference point for
new and grave challenges to our societies, of the United Nations Guiding Principles the regulation, development and use of
our freedoms, and our lives; challenges on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in AI-powered digital technologies. The Office
that can only be addressed effectively if the tech sector. This will entail an inclusive will conduct research into racial discrimina-
their human rights implications are con- and dynamic process of dialogue, consul- tory harm of AI-powered predictive policing
sidered as they are designed, developed tation and research to embed respect for programmes. It will also support the work
and deployed. human rights in digital technology busi- of the Special Rapporteur on racism, who
ness practices. Over the course of 2020, will report in 2020 on the widespread use
The digital space raises many difficult
the B-Tech project will provide authori- of predictive models that incorporate hi-
challenges, in relation, among others, to
tative guidance both to companies and storical data that are inconsistent with racial
privacy, freedom of expression and gen-
States on strategic focus areas in the equality and non-discrimination.
der equality. It is fostering new forms of
technology space.
hate speech, discrimination, violence and
exploitation. The rise of powerful techno-
logy companies is daunting, challenging
the capacity of States and requiring new
strategies to ensure human rights protec-
* Reference to the State of Palestine should be understood in
tion. Technology companies and States compliance with UN General Assembly resolution 67/19
20 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 Development Peace and Security Non-Discrimination UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 21ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
NGAGING HUMAN RIGHTS
E
PROTECTING ONLINE CIVIC SPACE MECHANISMS AND DIGITAL TECH
WIKIPEDIA MARATHONS: EDITING FOR RIGHTS Youth
Human rights defenders, journalists and In 2020, the Office will step up the engage-
dissident voices are frequent targets of le- ment between international human rights Gianluca is a high school student striving to be one of
gal restrictions and online attacks aimed at mechanisms and the technology commu- the best of his class. Like most of his peers, he relies
undermining their capacity to communicate nity, leveraging the work of our Office, the on the Internet to do his homework. “We use Wikipe-
and directly or indirectly intimidating them. special procedures, and the treaty bodies dia quite a bit,” he admits. However, he is aware that
The Office will enhance its efforts to protect to advocate for a human rights-based some information found quickly on the Internet may
and expand online space for these critical approach to the development and use not always be accurate. “That’s why it is important for
components of civic space, including by of digital technologies. For example, we me to contribute,” he says.
advocating for related human rights-based will further upgrade the Universal Human Gianluca participated in the first-ever editathon joint-
laws. Particular attention will be given to Rights Index (UHRI), which compiles all ly organized by UN Human Rights and Wikimedia in
the central role of Information and Com- country-specific recommendations of the Argentina’s capital city in July 2019. The subject: wo-
munication Technology (ICT) companies international human rights mechanisms, men’s and LGBTI people’s rights.
as States impose legal and institutional to make it more user-friendly and improve
constraints to civic space and seeking to the accuracy of tagging of the recommen- But what exactly is an editathon?
ensure that their policies and practices dations against human rights themes and Participants editing content about women and LGBTI rights during the
are fully aligned with international human the SDGs. This will facilitate human rights CAMPAIGNING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONTENT editathon. ©OHCHR
rights law. UN Human Rights, through its analysis and the use of the recommenda- ON THE INTERNET
field presences, and with civil society part- EDITING FOR RIGHTS – ¡EN ESPAÑOL!
tions by all stakeholders. We will also offer
ners will work to enhance the capacity of to States the National Recommendations Lila Monasterios is from Bolivia. Studying in Buenos
“We often have a hard time to access reliable sourc-
human rights actors to document, report Tracking Database (NRTD), which States Aires, one Saturday, she decided to grab her laptop
es or verified information, quickly and, above all, in
on and respond to restrictions to online can customize to record the progress they and spend some time editing on Wikipedia.
Spanish,” says Adrian Arden, a journalist covering
freedom and safety. are making towards the realization of hu- Supported by UN Human Rights in Argentina, at the stories on women’s and children’s rights. “Initiatives
UN Human Rights will expand its role as man rights. editathon she met people with different backgrounds, like this are much needed in light of a worrying trend
a bridge-builder, growing and enhancing some of whom were human rights experts who didn’t of deliberate misinformation, with inaccuracies all too
Building on fruitful missions in 2018 and
networks between local organizations know about Wikipedia edition – and some – the other often offering misleading information on human rights
2019 by Special Rapporteurs on free-
and the appropriate tech resources de- way around. They all gathered in the same room for that risk being amplified through traditional or social
dom of expression, violence against
veloped by universities, tech companies, a few hours, with different laptops but a common media,” he adds.
women, and freedom of assembly and
and international NGOs. Building on simi- association, we will support engagement purpose: creating or improving human rights-related
Wikipedia is available in over 217 languages, helping
lar experiences in Southeast Asia and the by these and other rapporteurs and fa- content on Wikipedia.
reduce access barriers for millions of people around
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in cilitate direct engagement with tech “In this case, Wikipedia becomes a tool to make human the world. “Wikipedia is a multilingual experience that
2019, in the first half of 2020 we will bring companies on special procedures reports rights increasingly visible, to democratize them,” says is available in as many languages as people are cre-
tech companies and NGOs together in and recommendations. Lucas Reynoso, a regular Wikipedia contributor. ating content on it,” explains Galileo Vidoni, vice-chair
regional meetings, including in Qatar and of Wikimedia Argentina. “So it not only serves to dis-
the Silicon Valley, to develop technical and We will expand our reporting to the Human Luisina Ferrante, from Wikimedia Argentina, explains
“The digital revolution policy solutions to online and real-world Rights Council on key issues impacted by that editathons unite people and organizations to build
seminate free knowledge, but also to safeguard and
promote minority languages.”
is a major global threats to local voices and civic space. digital technology, including the right to quality content on Wikipedia. These edition marathons
privacy in the digital age and the impact of take various forms and address different subjects, but In December 2019, Wikimedia Foundation and
human rights issue. Its new technologies on the right to peaceful human rights are a top priority. “Human rights issues UN Human Rights took the creation of human
unquestionable benefits assembly. are in constant development, so we need to reflect rights content to a global level by launching a joint
such development on Wikipedia too, and now with the #WikiForHumanRights campaign. Several editathons
do not cancel out its We will also continue to support the
specialized support of UN Human Rights,” she says. took place to increase human rights content about
work of the Advisory Committee of the
unmistakable risks.” Human Rights Council and treaty bodies
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and youth
empowerment. The campaign makes human rights
Michelle Bachelet, UN High on the enjoyment of human rights in the
knowledge more accessible to the wider public and
Commissioner for Human Rights digital age.
encourages them to share it with their community.
22 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 Participation Human Rights Mechanisms UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 23ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
norms into the design of anti-corruption
strategies. We will support countries in UPPORTING AND LEVERAGING
S UPPORTING AND PROTECTING
S
CORRUPTION THE WORK OF HUMAN RIGHTS CIVIL SOCIETY IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST
working towards rights-based national an-
MECHANISMS ON CORRUPTION CORRUPTION
ti-corruption laws, policies and practices.
By putting people – the rights holders,
Corruption exists in all countries’ pu- anticorruption movement, and to raise and States – the duty bearers, at the cen- The Office will continue to support human Civil society actors play a crucial role in
blic and private spheres, no matter their greater awareness about the potential of tre, the human rights-based approach to rights mechanisms’ work on corruption combating corruption. They provide cri-
economic and political systems or their human rights to combat corruption. anti-corruption has the potential to in- within their respective mandates. Corrup- tical information on corruption and help
level of development. It is a transnational crease the effectiveness of strategies. tion, as a systemic root cause of human document its negative impact on human
In addressing corruption, UN Human rights violations, is increasingly being
phenomenon whose solutions require rights. In important ways, their work com-
Rights will work closely with key UN In 2020, UN Human Rights will undertake
international cooperation, including for highlighted by treaty bodies and the Uni- plements that of official mechanisms
actors with an explicit mandate and research on approaches and methods
the recovery of stolen assets. Corruption versal Periodic Review (UPR). In addition, established to monitor progress in imple-
specialized expertise in this area of cor- for measuring and investigating corrup-
is a major obstacle to the full realization special procedures and Commissions menting anti-corruption measures. Treaty
ruption, such as the UN Office on Drugs tion and its impact on the enjoyment of
of human rights and to the achievement of Inquiry are addressing corruption in bodies look to their work when they con-
and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Devel- human rights, with a view to identify-
of the Sustainable Development Goals. their work. We will continue to provide sider the obligations of States to protect
opment Programme (UNDP). For example, ing victims of corruption from a human
It undermines a State’s ability to mobilize hands-on support to countries with the from and investigate human rights viola-
in Jamaica, the Office will cooperate with rights perspective. In this context, we
and allocate resources for the delivery of implementation of recommendations of tions tainted by corruption. To strengthen
UNODC to ensure anti-corruption efforts will develop principles and guidelines for
services essential for the realization of human rights mechanisms. The Office the capacity of civil society actors to
and human rights are integrated within the the human rights-compliant return and
human rights and it leads to discrimina- in Cambodia, for example, continued to contribute to the fight against corruption,
United Nations Multi-country Sustainable use of seized and confiscated assets.
tory access to public services in favour facilitate the development of a criminal we have worked with the Geneva Acad-
Development Framework (UNMSDF). For example, in Madagascar, at the re-
of those able to influence authorities. case database with a view to enhance the emy of International Humanitarian Law
quest of the Government and in line with
Efforts to stop corruption and realize hu- UN Human Rights is committed to step transparency of the judicial process and and Human Rights and the Centre for
the National Development Plan, we will
man rights are mutually reinforcing. Both up its work on corruption, including with forestall judicial corruption. Civil and Political Rights on a guide for
work on tackling corruption, through the
demand accountability, participation regard to prevention, investigation and anti-corruption actors on how to leverage
implementation of capacity-building pro- Beyond providing support to the imple-
and transparency. prosecution, international cooperation the work of human rights mechanisms in
grammes targeting the Anti-Corruption mentation of international human rights
and asset recovery. In particular, the Office their efforts to combat corruption. Over
The Convention against Corruption is one Pole (ACP), Madagascar’s anti-corruption mechanisms recommendations, we will
intends to further strengthen its capaci- the coming two years, the Office will en-
of the most widely ratified international court, including human rights training also continue to provide specialized ex-
ty to support countries in their efforts to deavour to increase civic space in the
treaties, demonstrating the importance for the Magistrates within the ACP. In pertise at the country level to help national
move towards rights-based anti-corrup- international discourse, including the in-
that States worldwide attach to the fight Central America, in partnership with the human rights institutions in their fight
tion laws, support the important work of tergovernmental debate, in follow-up to
against corruption. The commitment to Inter-American Commission on Human against corruption.
the human rights mechanisms on corrup- the implementation of the UN Convention
fight corruption is also firmly anchored Rights, we will convene workshops on
tion, and protect civil society in its fight against Corruption and in the outcome of
in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable De- the impact of corruption on the enjoyment
against corruption. the UN summit on corruption in 2021.
velopment and the Addis Ababa Action of human rights in order to mainstream
Agenda. Sustainable Development Goal human rights principles and standards in
16 calls upon Member States to, inter alia, the regional debate on corruption. In the
PROMOTING A HUMAN RIGHTS-
substantially reduce corruption, bribery BASED APPROACH TO FIGHT Central African region, UN Human Rights
and illicit financial flows and to strengthen CORRUPTION will work with the national institutes of
the recovery and return of stolen assets statistics to strengthen the collection and
and to develop effective, accountable and treatment of data on natural resources
In line with the Doha Declaration on “In- management and social expenditure to
transparent institutions at all levels.
tegrating Crime Prevention and Criminal better document and measure the nega-
The General Assembly’s special session Justice into the Wider United Nations tive impact of corruption on the enjoyment
on corruption, scheduled for the first half Agenda to Address Social and Economic of human rights.
of 2021, provides an important opportunity Challenges and to Promote the Rule of
to make progress towards a rights-based Law”, the Office will promote a holistic,
approach to corruption. Our aim is to help victim-focused approach, with the aim of
explain how human rights can support the integrating human rights principles and
24 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 Accountability Non-Discrimination Human Rights Mechanisms UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 25ROADMAP TO 2021 ROADMAP TO 2021
ic, social and cultural rights and the right management, and development finance,
to development. including by promoting the application of
INEQUALITIES
the Guiding Principles for Human Rights
As the UN reasserts a role in supporting
Impact Assessments of Economic Re-
governments on “Economic Transforma-
form Policies.
tion,” UN Human Rights will highlight how
CCELERATING SDG
A
a human rights-based approach to eco- We will help create and maintain
IMPLEMENTATION BY ESCALATING
ACTION ON INEQUALITIES nomic policy-making can contribute to safeguard-policies and independent ac-
economies that place people and planet countability mechanisms for development
at the centre of prosperity. We will pro- financing institutions and will support
As all Member States agreed, in the vide technical support on these issues in populations affected by them. We will
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop- countries that face high levels of inequali- further play a leadership role within the
ment and the Sustainable Development ties, including in our new field presence in UN development system to ensure the
Goals (SDGs), on targets, and indicators Sudan and the transition from the human implementation, monitoring and review
for action on the economic dimensions of rights component in the peace mission of the targets to reduce inequalities and
inequality and the prohibited grounds of (MINUJUSTH) to the human rights unit in eliminate discrimination that are included
discrimination, the Agenda also presents the new special political mission (BINUH) in SDGs 5, 10 and 16.
a unique opportunity to challenge struc- in Haiti, and in specific countries within the
tural forms of discrimination, exclusion and The rolling out of the Chief Executives
regions of Southern Africa and South and
inequality and to make real the promise to Board for Coordination’s Shared UN
Central America, as well as Asia-Pacific.
“leave no one behind”. Framework For Action on inequalities and
UN Human Rights helped to shape laws to We will step up our technical assistance
the UNSDG Operational Guide for the UN
end discrimination in Moldova, including Economic inequalities, combined with Drawing on the opportunities of the UN on economic inequalities under the frame-
against the Roma community that has system on Leaving No One Behind present
suffered from decades of discrimination. pervasive discrimination, have an enor- development system reform and build- work of SDG implementation to show how
unique opportunities for UN Human Rights
©OHCHR/Marina Momat mous impact on the enjoyment of all our ing on the Secretary-General’s call for a issues of public investment, budgets, tax
to engage at the global and national lev-
rights. The UN Secretary-General has decade of action and acceleration to de- policies, elimination of corruption and
els. We will pilot work under the UNSDG
warned the global community that “rising liver the Sustainable Development Goals illegal financial flows, and debt sustain-
“To achieve the 2030 Operational Guidance in Cameroon, Ne-
income and wealth inequalities risk under- by 2030, UN Human Rights is uniquely ability relate to the realization of gender
pal and Tunisia and integrate lessons for
mining efforts to achieve the Sustainable placed to support the transformation Agenda, the world's equality and human rights, especially
country implementation in the context of
Development Goals,” threatening social of States’ human rights obligations and economic and social rights. Building on
cohesion, entrenching insecurity and recommendations from the UN human
States need to advance the Memorandum of Understanding re-
the UN development reforms.
dampening economic growth, risking vio- rights mechanisms into concrete SDG on tackling inequalities – cently signed with UNEP, we will escalate As the reform of the UN development
lent conflict, as well as threatening human policies and practices. work countering the disastrous impact of system is rolled out through the new
rights and human progress.* inequalities of resources, environmental degradation and climate Common Country Analyses (CCA) and UN
In 2020, at a time of growing unrest over
Extreme inequalities, including eco- spiralling inequalities, we will step up our
income, power, access change on enjoyment of human rights, Sustainable Development Cooperation
with due recognition that those who bear Frameworks (UNSDCFs), we will work
nomic and social inequalities, have a contribution to the efforts by Member to justice and with the brunt are often the most indigent and to help UN Country Teams (UNCTs) ap-
profound impact on human rights, desta- States and the UN system to address dis-
bilizing economies and political systems, crimination and economic inequalities. We
respect to the basic vulnerable populations. ply a human rights-based approach to
development, “leaving no one behind.”
undermining resilience, precipitating will support the strengthening of analyses conditions for human We will also address the human rights im-
We will support work for gender equality
grievances, and sowing the seeds of so- and recommendations in order to secure pacts of austerity measures, which tend
cial unrest and violent conflict. Our aim is dignity. When States to have disproportionate consequences
and women’s empowerment (in line with
the most sustainable and equitable eco- the UNSDG’s Guiding Principles) and on
to show that policies reinforcing economic nomic policies and development plans. agreed to "Leave No on those already marginalised. In select
rights-based risk analysis for prevention.
and social inequality foster discrimination countries, we will pilot the provision of
and undermine human rights, and that the
We will increase focus on how public in- One Behind", they made human rights-based economic analysis
vestment, debt sustainability, budgets,
inequalities that exist within and between tax policies, social protection, elimination a profound commitment and policy advice. In addition, we will en-
countries are a human rights issue. courage and assist States and partners to
of corruption and illegal financial flows, to address them.” apply human rights impact assessments
* United Nations, Economic and Social Council, Special and governance of natural resourc-
edition: progress towards the Sustainable Development es can better promote the reduction of Michelle Bachelet, UN High and analysis to trade and investment
Goals: report of the Secretary-General, E/2019/68 (8 May
inequalities and the realization of econom- Commissioner for Human Rights policies, environmental and social risk
2019), available from undocs.org/E/2019/68.
26 UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 Development UN HUMAN RIGHTS APPEAL 2020 27You can also read
