are concerned, states have collective obligations to ratify the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Committee on the Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights has observed in its General Comment on the nature of state’s
obligations that the term “to the maximum of its available resources” comprised of
both resources within a state and those attainable from the international society.58 The
right to development accepts the right to equal satisfaction of all people in material and
intellectual resources and assets in the progression of the international community.59
The obligation to carry out the right to development has also bearing upon transnational
corporations, producers’ associations, trade unions and others. While some framework
of international guidelines of enterprises of transnational corporations is preferable,
a procedural structure which could make them more supportive mechanism of
international affluence and cooperation has yet to be worked out. The responsibility
of the individual towards other individuals and the community need endeavour to the
promotion and realisation of all human rights, including the right to development.
Every individual as an elementary part of the community has the obligation to
participate diligently in determining and in realising the common target of social
programmeand development of the society.60
(B) Participatory Process
The principle of participation and accountability is central to the right to development.
The UN Declaration on the Right to Development is the only instrument, which drives
the participation in development so clear with emphasis that states should invigorate,
secure free, purposeful and spirited participation in the plan and in keeping track and
realisation of development policies.
It calls for broadening the participatory sphere, giving strength to democratic substance,
which does not restrict as to who participates, but must also include participation
founded upon the principles of transparency and accountability, giving prominence
to human beings as force of democracy. The upsurge of participatory activities at the
local level has taken different manifestation, stimulating citizen participation. People
should be energetic participants in realising development plans instead of being
considered as passive beneficiaries. Participation should be purposeful as an implied
manifestation of popular sovereignty in assuming development plans and strategies.
Meaningful participation and authorisation are found in the people’s power to express
their views in institutions that permit the use of competence considering citizenry as
the genesis and the reason of public control.
International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, UN General Assembly Official Records, 21st Sess., Agenda Item 62, General Assembly Resolution 2200A (XXI), (A/RES/2200A, 16 December 1966); Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, General Comment 3, para. 13.
59
Abadi, Supra note 9, at 662.
60
Sengupta, Supra note 23, at 13.
58
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Journal of the National Human Rights Commission, Vol. 22, 2023