Choike - Joint submission on extreme poverty and human rights: the rights of the poor

Joint submission on extreme poverty and human rights: the rights of the poor

Source: Dignity International

The Draft Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights (pdf) were developed over a five year period to formulate rules of action to put an end to extreme poverty and realize human rights for all, including the poorest of the poor. For the first time in its history, the United Nations proposed an international law document which considers the fight against extreme poverty as an obligation for all States. Consultations on this text were launched for 2007 by the Human Rights Council.

Dignity International, Hakijamii Trust of Kenya and Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (India) combined forces to make a joint submission to the Civil Society Consultation on “Extreme Poverty and Human Rights – The Rights of the Poor”. They felt that Draft Guiding Principles is a step in the right direction. However they fall short of articulating the scope of certain human rights and the respective obligations of states which are already well elaborated in the various general comments to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In light of this, and of their experience in working directly with persons living in poverty, they put together contributions related to the following parts of the Draft Guidelines:

A. Participation by the Poor;
B. Discrimination and Stigmatisation;
D. Civil and Political Rights;
E. The Right to Food;
F. Right to health;
H. Right to Housing;
I. Right to Education and culture;
J. Right to Employment
K. Right to Justice.

DOWNLOAD THE SUBMISSION (PDF)

On the other hand, the Non Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) released a report of the on-line consultation with civil society compiling the comments received from over 60 respondents from around the world, all responding to a set of four questions. See the NGLS report and more.

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	In-depth reports
Detailed reports on key issues.
Poverty Although there is a wide array of perspectives on poverty at world level, no agreement has been reached about its character. In spite of having a common basis, there are multiple definitions and concepts on this issue. Global labour rights As transnational corporations spread their operations around the world in search of a cheap and flexible labour force, the call for global labour rights becomes more urgent. Civil and political rights Now more than ever are strong actions needed to defend the rights of all human beings, as proclaimed in a long list of international treaties. Economic, social and cultural rights - ESCR ESC rights are valid, enforceable, justiciable and claimable under both local and international law. Civil society is campaigning for their full implementation. Education on the market The pros and cons of the slow but relentless process of integration of education into the market. The right to adequate housing The right to housing is a basic human right, essential to the fulfilment of a decent life. The water crisis If access to water is a basic human right, should its provision be left in the hands of private corporations? Health and health services, goods for sale Is privatization the answer to health care problems that affect the poor? Millennium Development Goals - MDGs A comprehensive list of resources from the United Nations and civil society organizations.
	NGOs
NGO web sites.
Dignity International Dignity International aspires to become a global human rights family owned and led by people living in conditions of extreme poverty and exclusion.


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