A/HRC/23/54
the interpretation by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights of the right to
development (article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights) in the
Endorois case, to bridge this divide and facilitate poverty reduction. The Endorois decision,
by vesting the right to development in a sub-State group (the Endorois People), set a
precedent for rethinking the organization and governance of African States, especially with
regard to control over natural resources. Implementation of this decision would increase
local control over resources and participation in decision-making processes, thereby
resulting in improved development outcomes.
23.
Koen De Feyter, a professor at the University of Antwerp, discussed his research on
the invocation of human rights by marginalized social groups. He studied the origins of
human rights claims in some communities, the impacts of these claims on the communities,
and the development of community knowledge about human rights. He found that NGOs
were often responsible for translating community demands into human rights language.
However, the concept of human rights understood by claimants might be influenced by
local traditions and might not necessarily reflect international understandings of the same
rights. Still, by employing a common human rights language, these groups engaged the
international community with significant impacts. The degree to which local communities
brought human rights into play at the international level was often critical to the success of
their claims. This meant that both local authorities and international institutions played an
important role in guaranteeing human rights, and the synergistic coordination of their
efforts, guided by cultural understanding, was critical.
24.
In the ensuing interactive dialogue, representatives of North-South XXI and the
Ligue marocaine pour la citoyenneté et les droits de l’homme discussed inadequate
democratic governance at the international level, including in international financial
institutions and the United Nations Security Council. The discussion emphasized the
importance of access to information, freedom of the press, transparency, integrity and
accountability for democratic governance.
25.
In concluding remarks, Alfred de Zayas agreed that institutional reform of the
United Nations and access to information were critical to the promotion of a more
democratic and equitable international order. Obiora Okafor expressed concern that nondemocratic governance at the World Bank could lead to policies that exacerbate poverty,
and called for the meaningful and equitable participation of civil society and all States in
decision-making. Koen De Feyter argued that proponents of democratic reforms to
international mechanisms should consider the potential impacts and form of a human rights
approach to the reform of the Security Council and the World Bank.
D.
Social movements
26.
Gustavo Massiah, member of the International Council of the World Social Forum,
discussed social movements as a corrective response to multiple crises. He argued that the
global financial crisis was a symptom of underlying ecological, ideological and regulatory
crises. Occupy Wall Street, the World Social Forum, the indigenous peoples’ rights
movement and other movements were responding to structural and systemic causes of
crises. Therefore, the international community should pay heed to social movements as they
could help identify possible solutions to global crises.
27.
Pascale Delille, researcher at the Université Blaise Pascal, maintained that social and
solidarity economies were organized around providing social benefits to people. This
contrasted with traditional economies where competition, efficiency and profit were the
main driving forces. In traditional economies, reduced economic diversity could lead to
economic imbalance and undermine self-sufficiency. In social and solidarity economies,
local self-sufficiency and community involvement provided greater resilience to crises.
8
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