A/HRC/21/19
discussions of the right to development. China noted that the right-to-development criteria
and sub-criteria needed further improvement and, in this regard, appreciated and supported
the efforts undertaken by Egypt, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
20.
Nepal noted that the realization of the right to development, as an individual as well
as a collective right, called for an enabling environment for development at the national and
international levels. Full and unconditional recognition of the right to development on par
with other internationally recognized human rights should guide the revision of the right-todevelopment criteria and operational sub-criteria. As all human rights are indivisible,
universal and inalienable, a balanced and coherent approach should be employed to ensure
responsibility at all levels for the pursuit of all human rights in a holistic manner.
Mainstreaming the right to development in overall development initiatives, policies and
practices at all levels was paramount for its effective realization. Without the creation of a
just and predictable enabling environment underpinned by a suitable international legal
framework, the right to development risked remaining unfulfilled. There must be a focus on
addressing the special needs of developing countries, in particular the least developed
countries, who are suffering from structural problems and the effects of external events and
crises. Hence, the realization of the internationally agreed development goals must remain
an important component of efforts to realize the right to development.
21.
Côte d’Ivoire emphasized that developing countries had been using the Declaration
to promote development. There was a lack of understanding of what the right to
development meant at the international level. Furthermore, the dichotomy between creditor
and debtor nations undermined a balanced exchange. The responsibility for the realization
of the right to development fell on the entire international community, and solidarity and
international cooperation in line with the spirit of the Declaration were essential to fulfilling
the right to development. There must be a balance in national and international
responsibility and that should be reflected in a legally binding instrument on the right to
development.
22.
Bangladesh stressed that its engagement with human rights issues was based on the
premise that all human rights are equal, indivisible, interdependent and mutually
reinforcing. The right to development was about mainstreaming and implementing
development-oriented policies at all levels, in order to improve the capacity of States to
ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights. The recurring economic crises had reemphasized the relevance of the right to development and the need for its realization.
Globalization had created an interdependent world, implying collective and shared
responsibility and the need for a balance between the national and international dimensions.
Efforts of developing countries had been restrained by impediments at the international
level which were beyond their control. The global economic governance had to generate
effective international cooperation for sustainable growth and development. Participation in
the global decision-making process was also vital. It was also important to take into account
the social, economic and cultural realities and differences among countries and the
environmental vulnerabilities of countries.
23.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela emphasized that the guaranteeing of other
human rights was not possible without the realization of the right to development. There
was a need to make progress in the consolidation of the principles of solidarity,
complementarity and mutual responsibility, with due respect for the sovereignty of peoples
and genuine international cooperation free from conditionalities. The global crisis caused
by neoliberal capitalism and policies enacted by global powers undermined peoples’
enjoyment of the right to development. The failure to deliver on official development
assistance commitments, to relieve countries from the debt burden and to transfer
technology pointed to the need for a fair international order. Refining the right-todevelopment criteria and operational sub-criteria should pave the way to design norms
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