A/HRC/29/34
F.
Implementing sustainable development goals for internally displaced
persons at the national level
76.
Clear references to IDPs should be included in the post-2015 goals and targets.
While explicit references to IDPs may be lacking, many proposed goals and targets have
the potential to directly or indirectly have a positive impact on IDPs at the national level.
Nevertheless, it is essential to look beyond international cooperation and focus on the
importance of national implementation. The report of the Open Working Group on
Sustainable Development Goals states that “targets are defined as aspirational global
targets, with each government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of
ambition but taking into account national circumstances” (A/68/970, para. 18). National
authorities are responsible for providing protection and development for all and for
implementing strategies and programmes to meet internationally agreed targets and goals.
Countries affected by internal displacement must set their own national targets and include
IDPs in national development strategies.
77.
The IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons
points to the “need to ensure at a minimum that the necessary legal and/or policy
frameworks are in place to secure the rights of IDPs, to establish effective government
structures to coordinate the national and local response, to facilitate provision of
humanitarian and development assistance, and to ensure that adequate funding, through
national budgets as well as international aid, is allocated to support the process”.35
78.
Indicators to help to assess the implementation of the sustainable development
goals at the international level are still under consideration at the time of writing. The
Special Rapporteur strongly advocates the indicators to systematically address the specific
situation of IDPs by mentioning them explicitly as beneficiary groups. Displacement,
whether due to conflict or disaster, is truly a “global” issue, potentially affecting rich and
poor countries, northern and southern States, and international indicators should
consequently specifically address displacement. Equally, countries should develop their
own national-level indicators, taking into account, where relevant, their actual or potential
displacement situation.
G.
1.
Essential steps for the inclusion of internally displaced persons in
sustainable development goals
National leadership, good governance and political will
79.
National leadership and good governance are essential to both preventing
conflict-induced displacement and appropriately responding to all displacement situations.
Deficits in good governance and the rule of law frequently ignite tensions and result in
conflict and displacement. Good and inclusive governance is a cornerstone of sustainable
development activity at the national level and actions to appropriately address the rights of
IDPs. The first essential step towards ensuring implementation of sustainable development
goals for IDPs is for national governments to recognize IDPs as legitimate targets of
development initiatives. If left unaddressed by development actors, displacement can
generate further longer-term marginalization, inequality, fragility and vulnerability.
Addressing internal displacement through a development lens has the potential to prevent
further marginalization and potential secondary displacement.
35
Ibid., p. 11.
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