Human Rights for Human Development: The Rhetoric and the Reality

Abstract:

The human rights-based approach to development (HRBA) is a conceptual framework for the process of human development that is normatively based on international human rights standards and operationally aimed at promoting and protecting human rights. Supporters claim that the HRBA entails a comprehensive re-definition of the aims and approaches to development such that the boundaries between human rights and development disappear. Indeed, many argue that the HRBA enjoys several advantages over traditional development strategies, including meaningful participation of the poor in policy, the design and implementation of anti-poverty policy and the ability to hold power holders to account for policy failures.

The growing popularity of the linkage between human rights and poverty reduction in the development discourse, however, appears – to many development practitioners and policymakers – to be more an exercise in rhetorical appeal than actual impact. I begin with a critical examination of the normative foundations of the HRBA. Thereafter I focus on the right to food and argue that while there is a rich and growing literature on the topic, we must better understand how global theory can be operationalised into effective national and local practice. Based on empirical evidence from India and Malawi, I discuss the challenges associated with implementing development programmes at national, regional and local levels and the conditions under which an increased focus on human rights can be useful in promoting overall human development.