Part I Defining the issues to be monitored Transparency and Accountability: A human rights-based approach emphasizes that duty bearers are obliged to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. In this regard, they must comply with the legal norms and standards set out in international human rights instruments. Where they fail to do so, aggrieved rights holders are entitled to appropriate redress. THE UNITED NATIONS COMMON UNDERSTANDING, 2003 All programmes of development cooperation, policies and technical assistance should further the realization of human rights as laid down in the international human rights instruments. Human rights standards and principles guide all development cooperation and programming in all sectors and in all phases of the programming process. Development cooperation contributes to the development of the capacities of duty bearers to meet their obligations and of rights holders to claim their rights. Source: United Nations Development Group (2003), Statement of Common Understanding on Human Rights-Based Approaches to Development Cooperation and Programming 1.3. WHAT DOES A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH TELL US? One of the most fundamental principles of human rights – and, consequently, of a human rights-based approach – is that every human being is a rights holder and that every human right has a corresponding duty bearer. A rights-based analysis strengthens traditional policy analysis by focusing explicitly on the impact of policies on people’s actual enjoyment of their human rights, as well as who is accountable for those rights. A human rights-based analysis therefore asks the following questions: • Who has been left behind or excluded and why? • What are they entitled to? • Who has to do something about it? • What do they need to take action? • How should action be taken? Who has been left behind and why? Asking “who” helps identify persistent patterns of discrimination, exclusion, impunity and powerlessness. For example, a particular policy decision might affect people differently because of their age, sex, geography, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Asking “why” is a form of causality analysis and helps identify immediate, underlying and root causes of exclusion. For example, a particular policy decision might discriminate against people intentionally; it might not be intentionally discriminatory but have a disproportionate negative impact on some people; or it might impact people in the same way but fail to take the special measures needed to address entrenched patterns of discrimination and disadvantage (for example, related to long histories of patriarchal oppression or gender discrimination). What are they entitled to? This question emphasizes that the human rights norms contained in international conventions are not just words on a page, they are applicable standards. Achieving these standards is necessary for expanding the freedoms and opportunities that underlie human development. For example, a particular policy decision might set out the entitlements of people in relation to housing, social security, water and sanitation. Chapter 1: Poverty, development and human rights: Making the connections | 9