A/HRC/11/32
page 15
in such settlements, and women’s rights to inheritance. However, the Government of Georgia
remarked that it would be more appropriate for States to play a facilitative role in promoting
access by the poor to housing than to be obligated to guarantee such access, in particular in
countries with weak or transition economies.
Right to education and culture
51. The independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty recommended amending the
heading of the subsection on the right to education and culture to read: “Right to education and
right to take part in cultural life”. Additionally, the Governments of Belgium, Greece,
Switzerland and the Philippines and the Tunisian Higher Committee on Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms suggested including specific provisions on “youth” and “sport”, the fight
against school abandonment, access of migrants and persons with disabilities, women and girls,
and other persons living in extreme poverty to all levels of education, the right to protect their
culture and identities, and a broader definition of culture in line with the 2004 UNDP Human
Development Report.
52. Joseph Ingram remarked that the draft guiding principles are inadequate in their treatment
of girls, especially regarding their equal right to education. The Representative of the
Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons noted the need to address
what he characterized as the number one obstacle for the poor; namely, the issue of school fees
and the cost of books, uniforms, etc. Programmes such as school feeding or measures to provide
schoolchildren with basic training materials could help to compensate for the loss of income or
the additional expenses for the family resulting from school fees.
Right to employment
53. The independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty suggested amending the
heading of the subsection on the right to employment to read: “Right to work”. ILO reiterated the
same at the seminar and added that just and favourable working conditions and freedom of
association are some of the crucial issues for ILO in terms of guaranteeing the rights of the
poor.21 The 2008 NGO Consultation reflected a preference for the heading “Right to
employment, decent work and social security”.
54. Other respondents made several remarks on issues pertaining to the elimination of child
labour,22 forced prostitution, child prostitution and human trafficking,23 safety nets and social
21
ILO volunteered to provide more coherent language on this section.
22
Kamal Sidiqqui, Care International, 2008 NGO Consultation, and consultation with people
living in extreme poverty.
23
The Special Rapporteur on torture, and consultation with people living in extreme poverty.
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