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Human rights-based approach to development programming
 
Human Rights carry normative value as a set of universally agreed values, standards and principles. Every UN member state has undertaken international legal obligations for human rights. More than 80 percent of member states have ratified 4 or more of the 7 core international human rights treaties. All UNCTs must use a human rights Based Approach (HRBA) to support country analysis, advocate for priorities in the national development framework, and prepare an UNDAF that demonstrates a strategic use of UNCT resources and expertise. A HRBA leads to better and more sustainable outcomes by analyzing and addressing the inequalities, discriminatory practices and unjust power relations which are often at the heart of development problems. It puts the international human rights entitlements and claims of the people and the corresponding obligations of the State in the centre of the national development debate, and it clarifies the purpose of capacity development.

Click here to view the UN Common Learning Package on Human Rights-Based Approach.

In supporting member states to fulfill these goals and obligations, UNCTs are guided by the following policies, and tools:

Policy and Guidance
 Tools and Training
 Examples and Experiences
 Other Resource Material

Policy and Guidance
Click here for the Action 2 webpages. Click here for the Practitioner’s Portal on HRBA website.

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The Human Rights Based Approach to Development Cooperation Towards a Common Understanding among UN
The UN Common Understanding was adopted by UNDG in 2003 to ensure that UN agencies funds and programmes apply consistently a Human Rights Based Approach to common programming processes at global and regional levels, and especially at the country level in relation to the CCA and UNDAF.
Action 2 Interagency Plan of Action - Strengthening human rights-related UN action at country level
September 2003
This Plan of Action was adopted by UNDG, ECHA and OHCHR in 2003 pursuant to the Secretary-General’s report Strengthening of the United Nations: an agenda for further change. Its main goal is to develop the capacity of UN humanitarian and development operations to strengthen national human rights promotion and protection systems consistent with international norms and principles.
Inter-Agency Plan of Action on SG Action 2
1 December 2003
Concept paper on national systems of human rights protection
May 2005
Guidance note for UN country teams on Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies
May 2005
Guidance note for the UN country teams in establishing theme groups or other appropriate mechanisms on human rights
May 2005
UNDG Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples' Issues (UNDG)
1 February 2008
Guidance for UN country teams for programming on indigenous peoples' issues, in particular in the framework of the CCA/UNDAF process. The guidelines were developed by an inter-agency task team in 2007 and approved by the UNDG Programme Group on 1 February 2008. The guidelines provide information on the international human rights framework that guides the UN's work on indigenous issues and also provide practical advice on designing programmes with a special focus on indigenous issues. The publication of these guidelines follows the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007. The Declaration specifically calls upon the organs and specialized agencies of the United Nations system to contribute to the full realization of its provisions. The UNDG Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues are a clear step in this direction and a major achievement under the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
Tools and Training
Click here for the Action 2 webpages.

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UN Common Learning Package on HRBA (June 2007) (Action 2)
June 2007
These files provide a facilitation guide with guidance on planning and organization of the HRBA workshops, PowerPoint tools (in Arabic, English, French and Spanish) and a resource guide (forthcoming). The package will be periodically updated with new materials/modules.
Action 2 Brochure
FAQ on a Human Rights-Based Approach to Development Cooperation (OHCHR )
2006
Examples and Experiences
Click here for the Action 2 webpages.

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Synthesis Report 2008 - Human rights mainstreaming
2009
2004-2005 UNDAFs - Good Practice: HRBA
September 2005
2004-2005 UNDAFs - Good Practice: HRBA
Lessons Learned From Rights-Based Approaches in the Asia-Pacific Region
2005
OHCHR and UNDP, 2005
Good practices and lessons learned from the 2003 CCAs and UNDAFs
December 2004
Action 2 UN country teams working together on Human Rights
October 2004
Other Resource Material
Click here for the Action 2 webpages.

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The Practitioners Portal on HRBA
The Practitioners Portal brings together a range of resources on integrating human rights-based approaches (HRBA) into development programming, making them accessible to users through a single entry point.
Report_Linking Human Rights and the Millennium Development Goals: Theoretical and Practical Implications (UNDP Oslo Governance Centre)
September 2006
Summary Report of UNDP Oslo Governance Centre workshop on Linking Human Rights and the MDG's
Seven core international human rights treaties
This link takes you to the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the web pages for human rights bodies. It offers links to the 7 core international human rights treaties. Every UN member state has undertaken international legal obligations for human rights. More than 80 percent of member states have ratified 4 or more of the 7 core international human rights treaties.
Human Rights in the World
This link takes you to the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) where country specific information on the output of treaty bodies and Special Procedures can be found. A calendar of events provides an excellent opportunity for UNCTs to prepare in advance inputs for upcoming sessions of Treaty Bodies, as well as visits of Special Procedures. The page also provides linkages to the humanitarian conventions and the ILO conventions ratified by the country. Where applicable, there are links to the corresponding regional regime and to the national ombudsman or National Human Rights Institutions.
Other Resources/Background Materials
Principles and guidelines for a human rights approach to poverty reduction strategies (OHCHR)
2006
Human Rights Guidance Note for Humanitarian Coordinators (IASC)
2006

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