• Human rights
• Human Rights Based Approaches (HRBA)
• Human rights based approaches indicators

Human rights

This report is based on lessons learned from documenting experiences and programmes that incorporated the human rights-based approach (HRBA) in several Asia-Pacific countries. The report is intended for the project-based practitioners responsible for embedding the HRBA into programming. It presents lessons learned with respect to the approaches used in claiming rights, the various tools used within the programme process, and how human rights can be realised in practice.

The paper notes that the following elements are necessary, specific, and unique to the human rights-based approach:

• assessment and analysis of human rights claims and obligations and the underlying, and structural causes of the non-realisation of rights
• capacities of rights-holders to claim their rights and of duty bearers to fulfil their obligations
• monitoring and evaluation of both outcomes and processes
  
• measuring up to recommendations of international human rights bodies and mechanisms

It highlights some basic principles of human rights represented by the acronym PANEL which practitioners need to be aware of  when undertaking a HRBA

• participation – people are recognised as key actors in their own development, rather than passive recipients of commodities and services; participation is both a means and a goal and analysis includes all stakeholders; strategic partnerships should be developed and sustained
• accountability – a rights-based approach requires the development of laws, administrative procedures, and practices and mechanisms to ensure the fulfilment of entitlements, as well as opportunities to address denials and violations; it also calls for the translation of universal standards into locally determined benchmarks for measuring progress and enhancing accountability
• non-discrimination and equality – a rights-based approach requires a particular focus on addressing discrimination and inequality, focusing on marginalised, disadvantaged, and excluded groups
• empowerment – empowerment is the process by which people’s capabilities to demand and use their human rights grows; they are empowered to claim their rights rather than simply wait for policies, legislation or the provision of services; the development process should be locally owned
• linkages to human rights standards – programming is informed by the recommendations of international human rights bodies and mechanisms

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