Human Rights and Post-2015 Development Agenda
"The litmus test of development is the degree to which any strategies and interventions satisfy the legitimate demands of the people for freedom from fear and want, for a voice in their own societies, and for a life of dignity."
Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Why are the Millennium Development Goals and the Post-2015 Development Agenda relevant from a human rights perspective?
Human rights are essential to achieving and sustaining development. The Millennium Declaration, adopted by all the world’s leaders in 2000 recognized the essential linkages between human rights and development. Despite this acknowledgment, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were not adequately aligned with human rights and did not give sufficient attention to discrimination and inequalities (for more on the MDGs see here). The UN General Assembly’s High-level Plenary Meeting on the MDGs (The MDGs Summit) in 2010 reaffirmed that common fundamental values, including freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for all human rights, respect for nature and shared responsibility, are essential for achieving the MDGs.
This commitment was reaffirmed by Member States in the 2012 Rio+20 Conference Outcome Document, where states emphasized their responsibilities “to respect, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability or other status”. They also stressed the need to reduce inequalities and foster social inclusion and acknowledged that democracy, good governance and the rule of law, at the national and international levels, are “essential for sustainable development, including sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, environmental protection and the eradication of poverty and hunger.” Read more...
Key OHCHR Resources
Publications and background information on human rights and the post-2015 development agenda.
Events and meetings held in conjunction with the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Stories on human rights and the Millennium Development Goals and the work of the UN Human Rights Office to mainstream a rights-based approach to development