Extreme inequality and human rights 2015, para. 50

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A serious commitment to tackle extreme inequality is only possible in the context of policies and programmes that take the concept of economic, social and cultural rights seriously and give them prominence and priority equal to that of civil and political rights. For all of the achievements that have been accomplished in this domain over the past two decades, the fact remains that economic, social and cultural rights continue to enjoy only second-rank status. There are many contexts in which they are absent, marginalized or only half-heartedly taken on board. In circumstances in which economic, social and cultural rights are not a fundamental part of the overall approach, there are no obvious limits to inequality. Mr. Sen is correct in noting that "the exclusion of all economic and social rights from the inner sanctum of human rights, keeping the space reserved only for liberty and other first-generation rights, attempts to draw a line in the sand that is hard to sustain".
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Equality & Inclusion
  • Governance & Rule of Law
  • Social & Cultural Rights
Person(s) affected
  • All
Year
2015
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
50