A/HRC/33/22 Independent statistics, free from political interference, are fundamental tools to inform and hold those in power accountable for their policy action (or inaction) through measuring their impact on the protection and realization of human rights. Appropriately anonymized microdata, including relevant and disaggregated indicators, should be made publicly available to stakeholders to facilitate accountability. IV. Stock-taking of relevant activities undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and partners 36. The activities of OHCHR in relation to birth registration and vital statistics development have primarily been undertaken as part of its strategic priority to strengthen the integration of human rights in the formulation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this context, OHCHR has undertaken activities in three core areas contributing to the strengthening of global policies and programmes addressing universal birth registration and vital statistics development: (a) the development of global guidelines on a human rights-based approach to data and monitoring to ensure that no one is left behind in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; (b) contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals, targets and indicators; and (c) partnership activities relevant to the strengthening of birth registration and vital statistics. A. Global guidelines on a human rights-based approach to data and monitoring 37. OHCHR has supported uptake of global norms on a human rights-based approach to data and monitoring through the development of a guidance note on a human rights-based approach to data,27 recognized by chief statisticians from several countries, United Nations agencies and civil society organizations as useful in the work on data collection and disaggregation for the Sustainable Development Goals, and deemed consistent with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. Moreover, the normative approach reflected in the guidance note serves as an essential basis for supporting a human rights approach to birth registration and vital statistics. 38. Extensive engagement has also been undertaken with partners to expand uptake of a human rights approach to data. For example, OHCHR organized a side event entitled “Leaving no one behind: how human rights guidance can help solve the Sustainable Development Goal data disaggregation puzzle” on 9 March 2016, which was attended by 35 representatives of United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, national statistical offices and missions.28 A human rights approach to data was further highlighted through OHCHR participation in the events held in observance of World Statistics Day in October 2015. In addition, public engagement was undertaken to strengthen awareness of a human rights approach to data among civil society and other stakeholders, through online communications and several further events on the topic.29 The guidance note mentioned above has also been included in the United Nations portal on human rights-based 27 28 29 See OHCHR, “A human rights-based approach to data”, guidance note (2016). Available from www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/HRIndicators/GuidanceNoteonApproachtoData.pdf. For more information, see www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DataForSustainable Development.aspx. For more information, see www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/WorldStatisticsDay2015.aspx. 13