Part II National human rights institutions’ domestic activities and functions 181 THE HUMAN RIGHTS BASED APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION: TOWARDS A COMMON UNDERSTANDING181 Common understanding 1. All programmes of development co-operation, policies and technical assistance should further the realisation of human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. 2. Human rights standards contained in, and principles derived from, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments guide all development cooperation and programming in all sectors and in all phases of the programming process. 3. Development cooperation contributes to the development of the capacities of ‘duty-bearers’ to meet their obligations and/or of ‘rightsholders’ to claim their rights. Elements necessary, specific and unique to a human rights-based approach (a) Assessment and analysis in order to identify the human rights claims of rights-holders and the corresponding human rights obligations of dutybearers as well as the immediate, underlying, and structural causes of the non-realization of rights. (b) Programmes assess the capacity of rights-holders to claim their rights, and of duty-bearers to fulfil their obligations. They then develop strategies to build these capacities. (c) Programmes monitor and evaluate both outcomes and processes guided by human rights standards and principles. (d) Programming is informed by the recommendations of international human rights bodies and mechanisms. Other elements that are also essential under a human rights-based approach to development, include: 1. People are recognized as key actors in their own development, rather than passive recipients of commodities and services. 2. Participation is both a means and a goal. 3. Strategies are empowering, not disempowering. 4. Both outcomes and processes are monitored and evaluated. 5. Analysis includes all stakeholders. 6. Programmes focus on marginalized, disadvantaged, and excluded groups. 7. The development process is locally owned. 8. Programmes aim to reduce disparity. 9. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches are used in synergy. 10. Situation analysis is used to identity immediate, underlying, and basic causes of development problems. 11. Measurable goals and targets are important in programming. 12. Strategic partnerships are developed and sustained. 13. Programmes support accountability to all stakeholders. 181 United Nations Development Group, The Human Rights Based Approach to Development Cooperation: Towards a Common Understanding Among UN Agencies (2003). Chapter 6: Accessibility of NHRIs to indigenous peoples | 53