6 May 2024
Welcome to the final session of the course on International Human Rights. As the readings show, international human rights are not guaranteed. Some countries, like the United States, seemed to be receding from their commitments but the next administration has begun to reaffirm them. In terms of global policy, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their 169 targets are probably the best indicator of what States have agreed. In these, human rights are mentioned. In the third preambular paragraph, it is stated:
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets which we are announcing today demonstrate the scale and ambition of this new universal Agenda.
They seek to build on the Millennium Development Goals and complete what they did not achieve. They seek to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender
equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. They are integrated andindivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental.
In the Declaration's introduction it is stated:
3. We resolve, between now and 2030, to end poverty and hunger everywhere; to combat inequalities within and among countries; to build peaceful, just andinclusive societies; to protect human rights and promote gender equality and the\ empowerment of women and girls; and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.
8. We envisage a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; of respect for race,
ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity. A world which
invests in its children and in which every child grows up free from violence and exploitation. A world in which every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality and
all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment have been removed. A just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met.Our shared principles and commitments
10. The new Agenda is guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including full respect for international law. It is grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1 international human rights treaties, the Millennium Declaration2 and the 2005 World Summit Outcome.19. We reaffirm the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international instruments relating to human rights and international law. We emphasize the responsibilities of all States, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, 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.
In the goals, there are specific references to human rights only in terms of education (Goal 4) in target 4.7:
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
There is a further reference in the text on Follow-up and review processes
at all levels will be guided by the following
principles:
(a) They will be voluntary and country-led, will take into account different
national realities, capacities and levels of development and will respect
policy space
and priorities. As national ownership is key to achieving sustainable
development,
the outcome from national-level processes will be the foundation for reviews at
the
regional and global levels, given that the global review will be primarily
based on
national official data sources.
(b) They will track progress in implementing the universal Goals and targets,
including the means of implementation, in all countries in a manner which
respects
their universal, integrated and interrelated nature and the three dimensions of
sustainable development.
(c) They will maintain a longer-term orientation, identify achievements,
challenges, gaps and critical success factors and support countries in making
informed policy choices. They will help to mobilize the necessary means of
implementation and partnerships, support the identification of solutions and
best
practices and promote the coordination and effectiveness of the international
development system.
(d) They will be open, inclusive, participatory and transparent for all people
and will support reporting by all relevant stakeholders.
(e) They will be people-centred, gender-sensitive, respect
human rights and
have a particular focus on the poorest, most vulnerable and those furthest
behind.
(f) They will build on existing platforms and processes, where these exist,
avoid duplication and respond to national circumstances, capacities, needs and
priorities. They will evolve over time, taking into account emerging issues and
the
development of new methodologies, and will minimize the reporting burden on
national administrations.
(g) They will be rigorous and based on evidence, informed by country-led
evaluations and data which is high-quality, accessible, timely, reliable and
disaggregated by income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migration status,
disability and
geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts.
(h) They will require enhanced capacity-building support for developing
countries, including the strengthening of national data systems and evaluation
programmes, particularly in African countries, least
developed countries, small
island developing States, landlocked developing countries and middle-income
countries.
(i) They will benefit from the active support of the
United Nations system
and other multilateral institutions.