A/HRC/31/28 I. Introduction 1. Pursuant to resolution 25/8, the Human Rights Council held a panel discussion on a human rights-based approach to good governance in the public service on 24 September 2015, during its thirtieth session. 2. The objective of the panel discussion was fourfold: (a) exchange views on the role of the public service in the promotion and protection of human rights; (b) identify challenges and share good practices with regard to a human rights-based approach to good governance in the public service; (c) examine the findings of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the role of the public service as an essential component of good governance in the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/25/27); and (d) promote better understanding of international human rights norms and standards relevant to the public service. 3. The panel discussion was chaired by the President of the Human Rights Council and moderated by the Director at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Anne Peters. The Director of the Human Rights Treaties Division of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) delivered an opening statement. The panellists were: Adetokunbo Mumuni, Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project in Nigeria; Kim Taekyoon, Professor of International Development at the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University; Safak Pavey, member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Deputy Speaker and Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; Mariana González Guyer, Director of the National Human Rights Institution and Ombudsman of Uruguay; and Jan Pastwa, Director of the National School of Public Administration in Poland.1 II. Opening of the panel discussion 4. In his opening statement, the Director of the Human Rights Treaties Division observed that good governance in every aspect of the public sphere was a core mission for every State. Human rights and good governance were intrinsically interlinked and interdependent. A human rights-based approach to good governance required States to guarantee non-discrimination and equality in the provision of public services. Good governance also served as a strong driver of public confidence, peace and sustainable development. When State-run processes and mechanisms were transparent, accountable to the people, operated efficiently and effectively, and respected the rule of law, public confidence was strengthened, public grievances diminished, public well-being enhanced, and economic and social progress improved. 5. Nevertheless, multiple challenges to good governance persisted, including austerity policies, untamed privatization, corruption, conflict and violence. Failure to provide important public services, or reductions in the quality of these services, resulted in a loss of legitimacy, inability to sustain development, social unrest, insecurity and migration. Human rights obligations and core principles such as non-discrimination, participation and accountability should inform governance efforts. Human rights treaty bodies had provided 1 2 The archived webcast of the full panel discussion is available from http://webtv.un.org/search/paneldiscussion-on-human-rights-based-approach-to-good-governance-23rd-meeting-30th-regular-sessionof-human-rights-council/4505293520001?term=good%20governance (accessed 21 December 2015).