LocationsDo national human rights institutions hold the key to the SDGs?
July 16, 2024
UNDP works with national human rights institutions in more than 100 countries to engage them in development efforts and build their capacities to deliver amidst increasing demands.
In countries where national human rights institutions (NHRIs) are strong and compliant with international standards, they advance the Global Goals, empower individuals and communities, and inform the thinking on going ‘beyond GDP’ as a measurement of progress. UNDP has partnered with NHRIs in over 100 countries to engage them in development efforts and build their capacities to deliver amidst increasing demands.
In Pakistan, for example, the National Commission for Human Rights is a crucial advocate for human rights, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, and contributes to early warning and recovery efforts in the face of multiple crises. With UNDP’s support, the Commission provided emergency relief assistance and organized community dialogues following the violence in Jaranwala last year. This effort was commended by the Federal Ministry of Human Rights. In 2024, the Commission was accredited as an A-Status NHRI, confirming its full compliance with the Paris Principles.
And in Malawi, UNDP supports the transformation and operational expansion of the Human Rights Commission. In 2024, the Commission developed a new Strategic Plan and established a digital system to better track national human rights commitments and receive complaints of human rights violations.
"UNDP’s support was so important because it helped us position Malawi’s human rights priorities in a way that directly supports sustainable development. Working with UNDP also showcased what the Commission was capable of when invested in, which helped us strengthen our relationships with partners and expand our work further,” said Habiba Osman, Executive Secretary of the Malawi Human Rights Commission.
Malawi Human Rights Commission Executive Secretary Habiba Osman and UNDP Resident Representative Fenella Frost at the signing ceremony for UNDP’s Human Rights Programme.
There is often a gap between international human rights norms and the reality of how people experience human rights in their daily lives. NHRIs help to bridge this gap and protect human dignity. NHRIs are independent actors that promote and protect human rights in a country, including monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation. They address individual complaints, investigate human rights violations, and contribute to crisis prevention and early warning. NHRIs give voice to people and groups at risk of being left behind, advocating for their rights and ensuring their participation in policy decisions.
As UN Member States convene at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to review progress under the 2030 Agenda, NHRIs’ contribution to sustainable development should be central to the discussions. These institutions are key for human rights protection, accountability and justice. Hence, they are key for development, as over 90 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are grounded in human rights. And, the presence of an effective independent NHRI is an indicator of progress under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
"There is often a gap between international human rights norms and the reality of how people experience human rights in their daily lives. National human rights institutions help to bridge this gap and protect human dignity."
The HLPF comes on the heels of reports that global development progress is uneven and reversing in some areas. We are seeing a general backsliding of human rights, with a recent report from the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers warning of “a concerning trend of declining human rights as democratic institutions face increasing pressure and leaders fail to uphold the rule of law.” This is exacerbated by the fact that only 45 percent of countries currently benefit from a Paris Principles-compliant NHRI.
The international community has increasingly recognized the importance of these institution. In December 2023, at a high-level event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 16 Member States pledged to establish or strengthen NHRIs. However, further investment in NHRIs is needed to get the SDGs back on track and to fulfil the promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind. A fourfold increase in investment to establish and strengthen NHRIs is required to meet the commitments made to achieve SDG16. NHRIs are not just watchdogs; they are the guardians of human dignity, ensuring that human rights are upheld even in the most challenging times.
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