A/HRC/15/23
development recognizes the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights and the
multidimensional nature of development strategies, bringing together civil, political,
economic, social and cultural rights. As such, its implementation required a combination of
policies and the involvement of a wide range of actors in order to create an enabling
environment for individuals to participate in the development process. The right to
development must encompass the promotion of good governance, the rule of law and
effective anti-corruption measures, and include the principles of participation based on nondiscrimination and gender equality, transparency, access to information and accountability.
In line with the Declaration, States had the primary responsibility to guarantee the full
enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to development. Once endorsed by the
Working Group, the criteria, sub-criteria and indicators could be used in the elaboration of
a set of standards for the implementation of the right to development, and indicators could
also be used as a reference in the mainstreaming of this right. The European Union did not
support the elaboration of a legally-binding instrument on the right to development. It
welcomed the three sets of recommendations set out by the task force in its report.
11.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland supported the statement
made by the European Union and reaffirmed its commitment to the right to development as
set out in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. An effective aid partnership
should aim towards poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals, respecting human rights and other international obligations, as well as strengthening
financial management and accountability. It pointed to the need for more expert opinion
and discussion in finding practical ways to implement the right to development.
12.
Norway stressed that the work of the task force and the documents presented at the
current session represented a significant step forward in outlining what the right to
development entailed. Canada supported the right to development as a useful bridge
between civil and political, and economic, social and cultural rights. The Working Group
should develop practical tools and guidelines with benchmarks and indicators based on the
work of the task force, which States could use to create favourable conditions for
individuals to realize their full development potential. The centrality of the human person in
development was reinforced by the three attributes of the right to development identified in
the report of the task force. With continued support from the task force, the Working Group
could refine and develop further the criteria, sub-criteria and indicators into tools to help
implementation of the right to development. The sub-criteria should include benchmarks
and indicators to promote the implementation of the right to development in measurable
and practical ways, particularly at the national level. Canada did not support the idea of a
legally-binding instrument on the right to development, and insisted that primary
responsibility for this right lay with States, while the international dimension should be
taken into account. The United States of America welcomed the task force’s elaboration of
the criteria as a positive step in establishing metrics for development practice. While
remaining skeptical about an international legal standard of a binding nature, the United
States was committed to exploring the most effective ways to advance the valuable work
carried out by the task force. Development had both international and national dimensions,
and the United States had adopted a model of development based on partnerships, entailing
mutual commitments at the national and international levels. States had the responsibility to
provide an enabling environment and institutional arrangements, while donors had a
responsibility to support countries’ development priorities.
13.
Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to advance international cooperation, which went
beyond aid and implied the creation of conditions to break the cycle of dependency. This
was central to the idea of the international dimension of the right to development, and
balancing it with the national responsibility to create conditions for individuals to enjoy all
their rights. Mexico highlighted the fact that the right to development was an extremely
relevant part of the architecture to protect all other human rights. Regional consultations, as
GE.10-14167
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