A/HRC/28/3
66.
OHCHR engaged intensively with the United Nations development system, within
the framework of the United Nations Development Group, to mainstream human rights into
the system’s “fitness for the purpose” for a transformative post-2015 development agenda.
OHCHR chairs the United Nations Development Group -Human Rights Working Group
(formerly the Human Rights Mechanism), which promotes interagency policy coherence
and joint advocacy, and provides concrete support to resident coordinators and United
Nations country teams, including in the context of the Human Rights Up Front initiative,
facilitating system-wide sharing of good practices and more systematic engagement with
international human rights mechanisms.
2.
Global economic and social issues
67.
The Office enhanced its work on the protection of human rights in economic and
social issues, including in the governance of land, the response to the Ebola outbreak and in
the context of recent political, economic and social crises. In the report for 2014 submitted
to the Economic and Social Council,20 the High Commissioner analysed human rights
norms applicable to land.
68.
With regard to the Ebola outbreak, OHCHR provided an analysis of the human
rights dimension, including in terms of responses to the epidemic. Field presences in the
countries most affected monitored the human rights impact of the outbreak and promoted
integrating human rights into responses.
69.
In September 2014, OHCHR, in collaboration with the World Health Organization,
issued technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the
implementation of policies and programmes to reduce and eliminate preventable mortality
and morbidity of children under 5 years of age.21 The guidance, which will be piloted in
selected countries, contains advice on legislation, coordination, planning, budgeting,
implementation and international cooperation.
70.
OHCHR launched an ambitious process aimed at developing a fairer, more effective
system of domestic law remedies in cases of gross human rights abuse involving business
enterprises with a view to supporting effective implementation of the Guiding Principles on
Business and Human Rights. An expert study commissioned by OHCHR concluded that the
present system of domestic law remedies is patchy, unpredictable, often ineffective and
fragile. OHCHR continued efforts to enhance broad implementation of the Guiding
Principles, including through stakeholder capacity-building and the development of tools
and guidance documents.
71.
The report of the Secretary-General on the question of the realization of economic,
social and cultural rights in all countries submitted to the Human Rights Council at its
twenty-fifth session22 contained an analysis of access to justice in relation to violations of
those rights. OHCHR also worked on the human rights implications of austerity measures
and the right to social security. It supported the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which in 2014 was
ratified by Belgium, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Finland and Gabon.
72.
OHCHR launched a publication on the economic, social and cultural rights of
migrants in an irregular situation that explored the legal content of these rights under the
core international instruments and the practical barriers that often prevent irregular migrants
from enjoying their rights to education, health, social security, housing, water and
20
21
22
E/2014/86.
A/HRC/27/31.
/HRC/25/31.
13
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