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Statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson to the General Segment of ECOSOC Geneva, 27 July 1999
27 July 1999
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Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates,
It is my pleasure to introduce my report to the Economic and Social Council - as it was put by the President, Ambassador Fulci in his inaugural statement of 3 February - "the primary UN body to deal with economic and social issues of the family of nations and peoples". This report is unusual in that it focusses exclusively on economic, social and cultural rights. Delegates will be familiar with my repeated emphasis on the fundamental principle that all human rights are interrelated and indivisible. Focussing today on economic, social and cultural rights in no way departs from this.
In 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights affirmed that all human rights, civil, cultural, economic, political and social, are interlinked and interdependent. With the benefit of 50 years of experience, it has become clearer that all human rights need to be respected with the same degree of affirmation and conviction - freedom of speech and belief as well as freedom from fear and want; fair trial and the right of participatory and representative government side by side with the rights to work, to health protection, and to education.
Some progress has been made both at the international and national levels in reinforcing the founding vision of the drafters, enshrined in article 22, of the Universal Declaration, which proclaims: “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality”. Examples of steps taken by the international community to achieve this include resolutions and new mandates of the Commission on Human Rights ; further clarification by treaty monitoring bodies of the content of specific rights; and enhanced activities by components of the United Nations system as well as other international organizations to improve the realization of human rights in the lives of people.
Yet, despite examples of progress, it remains painfully clear that the fundamental rights to decent living conditions, food, basic health care and education, - all laid down in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, - are widely denied. The 1999 State of the World’s Children report of the United Nations Children’s Fund warns that nearly a billion people, a sixth of humanity, are functionally illiterate and will enter the twenty-first century unable to read a book or sign their names. Two-thirds of them are female. The 1998 annual report of the Executive Director of the World Food Programme states that, while there is sufficient food to feed the world, 830 million people are chronically undernourished. We live in a world where food rots while people starve. And the 1998 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) points to the bleak reality that, of the 4.4 billion people in developing countries, nearly three-fifths
lack basic sanitation, almost a third have no access to clean water, a quarter do not have adequate housing, a fifth have no access to modern health services, a fifth of children do not attend school and approximately a fifth do not have enough dietary energy and protein.
Our Office will support the important work of ECOSOC towards eradicating poverty. We will follow in our activities the debate during this year’s High Level Segment on “The role of employment in poverty eradication - empowerment and advancement of women”. It is of paramount importance that ECOSOC place primary emphasis on the empowerment of people. The panel discussion on national policies and international cooperation for people-centred economic growth was fully consistent with our approach to the right to development.
One area of particular urgency is the eradication of extreme poverty. The latest report of the World Bank illustrates the way the recent financial and economic crisis had driven large sections of populations into poverty - measured by the World Bank as income of less than US$ 1 per day. The victims of poverty are in fact denied almost all human rights - not only to adequate food, health care and housing, but also to participation in political processes; access to information and education; fair legal treatment and the normal benefits of citizenship.
The globalization of markets, capital, communication and technology has changed the face of the world, opening new opportunities and creating new challenges. While the benefits of these transformations are undeniable for millions of people in all regions, it is also undeniable that still larger numbers of the world’s population are being pushed to the margins of society, economically and socially, in part because of this complex process. Effective action to combat poverty, and to make the global system work for all people, involves difficult decisions both by Governments faced with competing economic and social priorities, and by the international community, which must make appropriate use of the limited resources at its disposal. Yet these decisions can and must be made by placing the decision-making process firmly in the context of international human rights obligations.
Mr. Chairman,
The year 1999 marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a fitting occasion to focus world attention on the difficulties children face throughout the world. The international community should join UNICEF, the Committee on the Rights of the Child and all other institutions and non-governmental organizations involved not only to give children a ray of hope but to ensure respect for their legitimate rights. Targeted thinking and effective action to broaden access to education, health protection and a social environment conducive for sustainable human development must be seen as common goals to be achieved for the sake of all children.
My report provides an overview of important recent developments in the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights at the international level. The Economic and Social Council, benefiting from the activities carried out under its authority, including the Commission on Human Rights and Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, may wish to consider the possibility of carrying out a review of developments at the national level to promote best practices, identify needs and strengthen cooperation between Governments and human rights and development institutions, as well as other relevant actors. I believe such a review would be timely and influential. My Office will do its utmost to support such endeavours and facilitate the ability of Governments to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights.
My report also includes sections on enhancing commitments to economic, social and cultural rights and assisting states with their implementation, including through cooperation, be it international, regional, throughout the UN system, or with civil society and the social partners.
Making economic, social and cultural rights a reality remains a formidable challenge. My report to ECOSOC has attempted to highlight developments at the international level. Although the examples discussed in the report provide grounds to believe that we are on the right track, we are far from the point at which the results of these efforts are widely perceived through improvements in the lives of people. At the dawn of a new century, violations of these rights must be seen as a continuing affront to human dignity. Equally important, their implementation must be understood as an essential part of building an international economic and social order based on human security, freedom and equality.
Securing economic, social and cultural rights are legally binding commitments entered into by Governments. The United Nations is increasingly geared to assist national efforts aimed at fulfilling these obligations.
Yet, despite the best efforts of States, and the assistance provided by the United Nations human rights machinery, lasting progress in implementing economic, social and cultural rights will not be possible without wider international cooperation. The Charter of the United Nations established the fundamental principle of joint action to ensure respect for human rights. Today our challenge is to develop and support innovative approaches through which such cooperation can bring tangible results. This will require the commitment and resources of all partners - Governments, international organizations, civil society, trade unions and the corporate sector.
I thank you.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates,
It is my pleasure to introduce my report to the Economic and Social Council - as it was put by the President, Ambassador Fulci in his inaugural statement of 3 February - "the primary UN body to deal with economic and social issues of the family of nations and peoples". This report is unusual in that it focusses exclusively on economic, social and cultural rights. Delegates will be familiar with my repeated emphasis on the fundamental principle that all human rights are interrelated and indivisible. Focussing today on economic, social and cultural rights in no way departs from this.
In 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights affirmed that all human rights, civil, cultural, economic, political and social, are interlinked and interdependent. With the benefit of 50 years of experience, it has become clearer that all human rights need to be respected with the same degree of affirmation and conviction - freedom of speech and belief as well as freedom from fear and want; fair trial and the right of participatory and representative government side by side with the rights to work, to health protection, and to education.
Some progress has been made both at the international and national levels in reinforcing the founding vision of the drafters, enshrined in article 22, of the Universal Declaration, which proclaims: “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality”. Examples of steps taken by the international community to achieve this include resolutions and new mandates of the Commission on Human Rights ; further clarification by treaty monitoring bodies of the content of specific rights; and enhanced activities by components of the United Nations system as well as other international organizations to improve the realization of human rights in the lives of people.
Yet, despite examples of progress, it remains painfully clear that the fundamental rights to decent living conditions, food, basic health care and education, - all laid down in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, - are widely denied. The 1999 State of the World’s Children report of the United Nations Children’s Fund warns that nearly a billion people, a sixth of humanity, are functionally illiterate and will enter the twenty-first century unable to read a book or sign their names. Two-thirds of them are female. The 1998 annual report of the Executive Director of the World Food Programme states that, while there is sufficient food to feed the world, 830 million people are chronically undernourished. We live in a world where food rots while people starve. And the 1998 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) points to the bleak reality that, of the 4.4 billion people in developing countries, nearly three-fifths
lack basic sanitation, almost a third have no access to clean water, a quarter do not have adequate housing, a fifth have no access to modern health services, a fifth of children do not attend school and approximately a fifth do not have enough dietary energy and protein.
Our Office will support the important work of ECOSOC towards eradicating poverty. We will follow in our activities the debate during this year’s High Level Segment on “The role of employment in poverty eradication - empowerment and advancement of women”. It is of paramount importance that ECOSOC place primary emphasis on the empowerment of people. The panel discussion on national policies and international cooperation for people-centred economic growth was fully consistent with our approach to the right to development.
One area of particular urgency is the eradication of extreme poverty. The latest report of the World Bank illustrates the way the recent financial and economic crisis had driven large sections of populations into poverty - measured by the World Bank as income of less than US$ 1 per day. The victims of poverty are in fact denied almost all human rights - not only to adequate food, health care and housing, but also to participation in political processes; access to information and education; fair legal treatment and the normal benefits of citizenship.
The globalization of markets, capital, communication and technology has changed the face of the world, opening new opportunities and creating new challenges. While the benefits of these transformations are undeniable for millions of people in all regions, it is also undeniable that still larger numbers of the world’s population are being pushed to the margins of society, economically and socially, in part because of this complex process. Effective action to combat poverty, and to make the global system work for all people, involves difficult decisions both by Governments faced with competing economic and social priorities, and by the international community, which must make appropriate use of the limited resources at its disposal. Yet these decisions can and must be made by placing the decision-making process firmly in the context of international human rights obligations.
Mr. Chairman,
The year 1999 marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a fitting occasion to focus world attention on the difficulties children face throughout the world. The international community should join UNICEF, the Committee on the Rights of the Child and all other institutions and non-governmental organizations involved not only to give children a ray of hope but to ensure respect for their legitimate rights. Targeted thinking and effective action to broaden access to education, health protection and a social environment conducive for sustainable human development must be seen as common goals to be achieved for the sake of all children.
My report provides an overview of important recent developments in the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights at the international level. The Economic and Social Council, benefiting from the activities carried out under its authority, including the Commission on Human Rights and Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, may wish to consider the possibility of carrying out a review of developments at the national level to promote best practices, identify needs and strengthen cooperation between Governments and human rights and development institutions, as well as other relevant actors. I believe such a review would be timely and influential. My Office will do its utmost to support such endeavours and facilitate the ability of Governments to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights.
My report also includes sections on enhancing commitments to economic, social and cultural rights and assisting states with their implementation, including through cooperation, be it international, regional, throughout the UN system, or with civil society and the social partners.
Making economic, social and cultural rights a reality remains a formidable challenge. My report to ECOSOC has attempted to highlight developments at the international level. Although the examples discussed in the report provide grounds to believe that we are on the right track, we are far from the point at which the results of these efforts are widely perceived through improvements in the lives of people. At the dawn of a new century, violations of these rights must be seen as a continuing affront to human dignity. Equally important, their implementation must be understood as an essential part of building an international economic and social order based on human security, freedom and equality.
Securing economic, social and cultural rights are legally binding commitments entered into by Governments. The United Nations is increasingly geared to assist national efforts aimed at fulfilling these obligations.
Yet, despite the best efforts of States, and the assistance provided by the United Nations human rights machinery, lasting progress in implementing economic, social and cultural rights will not be possible without wider international cooperation. The Charter of the United Nations established the fundamental principle of joint action to ensure respect for human rights. Today our challenge is to develop and support innovative approaches through which such cooperation can bring tangible results. This will require the commitment and resources of all partners - Governments, international organizations, civil society, trade unions and the corporate sector.
I thank you.