In this session we will link human rights and policy by introducing the principles of a 'human rights based approach' (HRBA) developed in the early 2000s in relation to development assistance. This is still an operating principle within UN agencies, as well as SIDA and other development agencies.

But we will also introduce critiques of human rights (and therefore HRBA), which rest on a scepticism about the origins of human rights, as well as their effectiveness.

SLIDES

Essential reading before the class:

First: SIDA's HRBA website. Read the main webpage, it's a short overview of HRBA principles and SIDA's work (på svenska https://www.sida.se/partner-till-sida/metoder-och-material/human-rights-based-approach-rattighetsperspektivLinks to an external site. )

Second, have a look at SIDA's HRBA water brief (only 9 pages) https://cdn.sida.se/app/uploads/2022/02/28142312/10205933_Sida_TN_HRBA_Water_webb.pdfLinks to an external site. Pay attention to the kinds of questions they ask with HRBA principles as a starting point.

Now, third, have a read of this case example and think about the principles of a human rights-based approach from SIDA's website. Can you see these principles reflected here? In what ways? We'll discuss this in class. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/tc-lagos-water-privatisation/Links to an external site.

If you have time, but strongly recommended as it's very interesting and I'll bring it up in class...

Sikkink (2017) chapter 2 and pp 152-162 & 167-168 - part of an excellent book looking at the legitimacy and effectiveness of human rights. These sections look at some important contemporary critiques and aim to provide some responses.

More in depth linking of human rights to policy (but not essential)

Velasquez & Delaplace (2011) - this article links the human rights based approach to public management, and logical framework planning. Basically translating human rights into really bureaucratic language, which sounds boring but is important to grapple with.