Human rights and development

A human rights based approach will further generally lead to better analyzed and more focused strategic interventions by providing the normative foundation for tackling fundamental development issues.

[2] The initial impetus of the current human rights legal regime and movement was in reaction to the Nazi atrocities of World War II.

Chapter VI of the Charter entitled International Economic and Social Cooperation provides Article 55 (c) the "universal respect for, and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion".

The right to development embodies three additional attributes which clarify its meaning and specify how it may reduce poverty 1) The first is a holistic approach which integrates human rights into the process 2) an enabling environment offers fairer terms in the economic relations for developing countries and 3) the concept of social justice and equity involves the participation of the people of countries involved and a fair distribution of developmental benefits with special attention given to marginalised and vulnerable members of the population.

The mandate of the High Commissioner (HC) and the OHCHR as stated in resolution 48/141 4 (c)[14] seeks "to promote and protect the realization of the right to development and to enhance support from relevant bodies of the UN system for this purpose."

[17] As part of their duty to protect against business related human rights abuse States must take appropriate steps to ensure that those affected have access to effective remedy through judicial, administrative, legislative or other appropriate means.

The OECD Guidelines[18] cover a wide range of issues including labour and environmental standards, human rights, corruption, consumer protection, technology amongst others.

The 2011 update introduced a specific chapter on human rights and aligns the guidelines with the UN Special Rapporteur framework of "protect respect and remedy".

In response to this criticism integrity measures were introduced in 2005 which created a complaints procedure for systematic abuse of the compacts overall aims and principles.