A/HRC/10/46
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of economic, social and cultural rights. It also endeavoured to analyse how the denial of
economic, social and cultural rights may contribute towards creating an “enabling environment”
for terrorism.
40. OHCHR continued to analyse the human rights dimensions of climate change. Pursuant to
Human Rights Council resolution 7/23, OHCHR prepared an analytical study on the relationship
between human rights and climate change, taking into account the views of States, relevant
intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholders. As part of the consultation process,
OHCHR hosted an open-ended consultation meeting on the relationship between climate change
and human rights on 22 October 2008 in Geneva. The meeting offered a unique opportunity for a
wide range of stakeholders, including States, intergovernmental organizations, national human
rights institutions and non-governmental organizations, to discuss key aspects of the climate
change human rights nexus. The report will be considered by the Council at its tenth session in
March 2009. Together with a summary of the Council’s debate, the study will be made available
to the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in
Copenhagen in 2009. As the OHCHR study shows, climate change will have major implications
for the effective enjoyment of a range of human rights and, in particular, economic, social and
cultural rights related to health, food, water and housing.
41. In order to help articulate a human rights approach to the MDGs, OHCHR published in
June 2008 “Claiming the MDGs: A human rights approach”. This publication analyses the
relationship between several economic, social and cultural rights - such as the rights to
education, health, food or adequate housing - and the MDGs. It highlights how a human rights
approach can address the risks related to MDG-based development efforts, as well as enhance
the potential of MDGs to serve as a vehicle for the promotion and protection of human rights. As
a follow-up to this publication, OHCHR organized two regional meetings, one in Africa (in
Johannesburg) and one in Asia (in Bangkok), to discuss key implementation challenges for
MDGs from a human rights perspective, with a focus on the right to adequate food, health and
water. The outcomes of these meetings will constitute a basis for identifying strategic entry
points for OHCHR and partners to engage in follow-up actions, notably at the country level, to
support and strengthen MDG-based national development strategies from a human rights
perspective.
42. OHCHR continued to pay special attention to the issue of women and economic, social
and cultural rights. In her report to the Economic and Social Council (E/2007/82), the
High Commissioner focused on how the principles of equality between men and women and
non-discrimination against women are paramount to the promotion and implementation of
economic, social and cultural rights. The report clarified the scope of States parties’ obligations
to eliminate discrimination and ensure equality between men and women in relation to
economic, social and cultural rights. It also addressed the relevance of women’s economic, social
and cultural rights in the context of post-conflict reconstruction and democratization programmes
and policies. In June 2008, the Office also supported the holding by the Human Rights Council
of a thematic discussion on maternal mortality, which included the participation of the Special
Rapporteur on the right to health. OHCHR also submitted a briefing on international human
rights law and reproductive rights to the Supreme Court of Justice in Mexico, highlighting
international jurisprudence from United Nations treaty bodies and regional human rights bodies
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