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Prevention of racial discrimination in the administration and functioning of the criminal justice system 2004, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- [Formulates the following recommendations addressed to States parties:] [The right to the presumption of innocence] This right implies that the police authorities, the judicial authorities and other public authorities must be forbidden to express their opinions publicly concerning the guilt of the accused before the court reaches a decision, much less to cast suspicion in advance on the members of a specific racial or ethnic group. These authorities have an obligation to ensure that the mass media do not disseminate information which might stigmatize certain categories of persons, particularly those belonging to the groups referred to in the last paragraph of the preamble.
- Body
- Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- Document type
- General Comment / Recommendation
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2004
Paragraph
Racial discrimination against people of African descent 2011, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- [Formulates the following recommendations addressed to States parties:] Also ensure the protection of the security and integrity of people of African descent without any discrimination by adopting measures for preventing racially motivated acts of violence against them; ensure prompt action by the police, prosecutors and the judiciary for investigating and punishing such acts; and ensure that perpetrators, be they public officials or other persons, do not enjoy impunity.
- Body
- Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- Document type
- General Comment / Recommendation
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Discussion on "Recognition through Education, Cultural Rights and Data Collection" 2013, para. 75a
- Paragraph text
- [In recognition of the contribution of the continent of Africa and people of African descent to the development, diversity and richness of world civilizations and cultures which constitute the common heritage of humankind, States should, in collaboration with relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and international donors:] Promote and protect the culture, identity and tangible and intangible heritage of the continent of Africa and people of African descent, and keep, maintain and foster their mode of life and forms of organization, languages and religious expressions;
- Body
- Working Group of experts on people of African descent
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Activities of the Working Group 2014, para. 60r
- Paragraph text
- [In order to provide equal access to justice for people of African descent and as a part of the duty of States to protect human rights, the Working Group calls upon States to guarantee that:] Measures are adopted to eliminate sociocultural ideologies inherited from the slavery period, which perpetuate racism and racial discrimination against people of African descent and their continued invisibility at all levels of society. Programmes should be established to preserve knowledge of the culture and history of people of African descent in museums and other forums for future generations, and efforts made to encourage and support the publication and distribution of books and other print materials, as well as the broadcasting of television and radio programmes, about their history and cultures. States and civil society should work with the media and communications companies to promote more positive and inclusive images and representations of people of African descent in order to increase their visibility within society and challenge negative stereotypes and resultant discrimination;
- Body
- Working Group of experts on people of African descent
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Equality of opportunity in education 2011, para. 72h
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur puts forward the following recommendations for the promotion of equal opportunities in education on the basis of a human rights framework:] Strengthen collaboration with academic institutions and civil society organizations: Fostering inclusive education implies active engagement of civil society. The intellectual community and the civil society play a central role in promoting better understanding of inequalities in education. The advocacy work of these stakeholders is vital to ensuring widespread attention to issues for ensuring equality of opportunity in education.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to education
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Normative action for quality education 2012, para. 88c
- Paragraph text
- [Widespread concerns on quality in education call for strengthening national legal frameworks with a view to establishing and reinforcing standards for quality in education. To that end, the Special Rapporteur would like to make the following recommendations:] Implement quality assessments with a promotional spirit: • Quality assessments should be driven by a promotional spirit, with emphasis on creating equitable educational and learning opportunities for all, rather than further marginalizing poorly endowed schools in remote areas. Based on the findings of national-level assessments of students’ performance, States should support those regions and schools which perform poorly and are falling behind, in an endeavor to promote more equitable education systems. Affirmative action and positive measures should be stepped up to enable all those who are victims of social exclusion and poverty to enjoy their right to quality education;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to education
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Privatization and the right to education 2014, para. 98
- Paragraph text
- Education is a fundamental human right and a core obligation of States. The principal responsibility for the direct provision of education lies with Governments. However, there has been tremendous growth in private providers of education. Taking advantage of explosive demands on education and of insufficient public schools, privatization is making inroads in education at all levels. It often flourishes, with scant control by public authorities. This can have a crippling effect on the fundamental principle of equality of opportunity in education. Privatization often excludes marginalized groups, who are unable to pay, undermining the right of universal access to education. Some private providers inadequately respect the quality of education and undermine the status of teachers.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to education
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Assessment of the educational attainment of students 2014, para. 93
- Paragraph text
- Regarding the development of the capacity of the teaching profession for the holistic assessment of basic education, the Special Rapporteur recommends that: Recognizing that teachers play a key role in the implementation of the national curricula and in conducting assessments of the educational attainments of students, Governments should ensure that teachers are provided with the additional training and support to better understand and implement a human rights-based curriculum in an accessible fashion for their students. Novel modalities of teacher training in tandem with reforms in education should be devised to foster quality education and learning.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to education
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Assessment of the educational attainment of students 2014, para. 96
- Paragraph text
- In regard to the promotion of studies on national assessments, the Special Rapporteur recommends that: States continue to champion the cause of quality education in the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda. Enhancing educational attainments for the benefit of both the individual and society should be a central concern in any future agenda, with a reinforced commitment by the international community in appreciation of the pivotal role of the right to education for human development.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to education
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Right to food and nutrition 2016, para. 99a
- Paragraph text
- [With a view to respecting, protecting and fulfilling the right to adequate food and nutrition, the Special Rapporteur recommends that:] Member States embrace the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition as an opportunity to achieve ambitious nutrition targets and ensuring the right of every individual to adequate food and nutrition, especially the people who most need it. To this end, United Nations agencies and programmes should establish coordinated, effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms to implement the multitude of existing nutrition targets in ways that are coherent, harmonized, mutually reinforcing and overcoming gaps, together with clear timelines, funding and indicators to assess progress;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right to food
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Food & Nutrition
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
The right to freedom of opinion and expression exercised through the Internet 2011, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- He also calls upon States to ensure that individuals can express themselves anonymously online and to refrain from adopting real-name registration systems. Under certain exceptional situations where States may limit the right to privacy for the purposes of administration of criminal justice or prevention of crime, the Special Rapporteur underscores that such measures must be in compliance with the international human rights framework, with adequate safeguards against abuse. This includes ensuring that any measure to limit the right to privacy is taken on the basis of a specific decision by a State authority expressly empowered by law to do so, and must respect the principles of necessity and proportionality.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The right to freedom of opinion and expression exercised through the Internet 2011, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- Given that the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights, combating inequality, and accelerating development and human progress, ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all States. Each State should thus develop a concrete and effective policy, in consultation with individuals from all sections of society, including the private sector and relevant Government ministries, to make the Internet widely available, accessible and affordable to all segments of population.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The right to access information 2013, para. 104
- Paragraph text
- The adoption of national norms should be followed by concerted efforts to enhance the technical capacity of State institutions to manage and disseminate information. Moreover, public officials must be trained and have their awareness raised in order to fulfil their responsibilities regarding the adequate maintenance of records and dissemination of information. Further efforts are also necessary to raise public awareness of the right to access information and the existing mechanisms to exercise it.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
The use of encryption and anonymity to exercise the rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the digital age 2015, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- States should revise or establish, as appropriate, national laws and regulations to promote and protect the rights to privacy and freedom of opinion and expression. With respect to encryption and anonymity, States should adopt policies of non-restriction or comprehensive protection, only adopt restrictions on a case-specific basis and that meet the requirements of legality, necessity, proportionality and legitimacy in objective, require court orders for any specific limitation, and promote security and privacy online through public education.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Freedom of expression, States and the private sector in the digital age 2016, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- States bear a primary responsibility to protect and respect the right to exercise freedom of opinion and expression. In the information and communication technology context, this means that States must not require or otherwise pressure the private sector to take steps that unnecessarily or disproportionately interfere with freedom of expression, whether through laws, policies, or extralegal means. Any demands, requests and other measures to take down digital content or access customer information must be based on validly enacted law, subject to external and independent oversight, and demonstrate a necessary and proportionate means of achieving one or more aims under article 19 (3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Particularly in the context of regulating the private sector, State laws and policies must be transparently adopted and implemented.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 74c
- Paragraph text
- [In relation to recommendations pertaining to the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, the Special Rapporteur reiterates all the recommendations contained in his previous thematic reports. They are all the more relevant for individuals belonging to groups most at risk whose rights are more likely to be violated or unduly restricted. In particular, he calls upon States to:] Ensure that no derogation is made from the rights to life and to be free from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of individuals belonging to groups most at risk;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Report on expert consultation on access to medicines 2011, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- States have the primary responsibility for enhancing access to medicines; as the Millennium Development Goals recognize, however, this is a shared responsibility. If there is to be an increase in access to medicines, numerous national and international actors have a role to play. Pharmaceutical companies are among those who share this responsibility owing to their evident impact on the ability of Governments to realize the right to the highest attainable standard of health. The expert consultation identified the need for a reliable system for the supply of good-quality medicines that are affordable to all, including those living in poverty and other disadvantaged groups.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Guiding Principles on security of tenure for the urban poor 2014, para. 4a
- Paragraph text
- [Property has a vital social function including adequate housing of the urban poor. States should balance property rights with the social function of property in designing and implementing housing and other relevant policies. In particular, States, including relevant authorities, should promote access to secure and well-located housing for the urban poor through, inter alia, the following measures:] Conduct citywide audits of vacant and underutilized land, housing and buildings;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Guiding Principles on security of tenure for the urban poor 2014, para. 4b
- Paragraph text
- [Property has a vital social function including adequate housing of the urban poor. States should balance property rights with the social function of property in designing and implementing housing and other relevant policies. In particular, States, including relevant authorities, should promote access to secure and well-located housing for the urban poor through, inter alia, the following measures:] Conduct assessments of spatial needs to house the urban poor, including homeless persons, taking into account current and anticipated trends;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Poverty
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Centrality of the right to adequate housing for the development and implementation of the New Urban Agenda to be adopted at Habitat III in October 2016 2015, para. 76e
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that the urban rights agenda should:] Reflect the experiences of city residents and establish a process of ongoing participation and engagement, particularly with those who currently lack access to adequate housing. Access to justice should be ensured for all aspects of the right to adequate housing. Human rights institutions, ombudspersons and other human rights bodies should be actively engaged in promoting and protecting the right to housing at the city level;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living
- 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
Penalization of people living in poverty 2011, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- Often, States invoke grounds of public safety, health or security in an attempt to justify the restriction of human rights through penalization measures. However, human rights law establishes strict requirements for the imposition of limitations on individual rights. Any restriction on the enjoyment of human rights by those living in poverty must comply with several safeguards, including requirements that they be legally established, non discriminatory and proportionate, and have a legitimate aim. The burden falls upon States to prove that a limitation imposed upon the enjoyment of rights by those living in poverty is in conformity with international human rights 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
- Health
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Human rights based approach to recovery from the global economic and financial crises, with a focus on those living in poverty 2011, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- A human rights approach stipulates that legal and policy measures to strengthen the accountability and transparency of financial systems should be taken. In order for States to meet their duty to protect, the banking sector should be regulated to obligate banking institutions to serve the interests of society by, for example, ensuring access to credit without discrimination, especially those struggling under increased economic burdens. States should ensure adequate means of redress for those adversely affected by the actions taken by financial sector institutions, and adopt regulations that discourage harmful practices by providing for accountability mechanisms that penalize risky behaviours and prosecute perpetrators.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The right to participation of people living in poverty 2013, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- Government agencies and policymakers must be prepared to give value to the findings of participatory processes, critically examine their own practices and attitudes, and allow the necessary resources and time to enable people living in poverty to participate effectively. Instituting meaningful participation will require the State to relinquish unilateral control over some areas of policy traditionally seen as government prerogative, for example budgets. Similarly, while successful participation is frequently dependent on some form of State engagement, States should not seek to "own" all spaces of participation, and must protect and promote the role of NGOs and civil society.
- 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
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
The implementation of the right to social protection through the adoption of social protection floors 2014, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- The leading human rights groups should thus engage actively with the Coalition for a Social Protection Floor, as well as taking their own targeted initiatives.
- 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
- N.A.
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Hate speech and incitement to hatred 2012, para. 90
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur also calls upon media professionals to abide by high ethical and professional standards of journalism to fulfil their role of informing society with accurate facts. He therefore encourages media professionals and media outlets to adopt and adhere to voluntary codes of ethics and professionalism and to establish self-regulatory bodies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 3
- Paragraph text
- The right to an adequate standard of health care ("right to health") determines the States' obligations towards persons suffering from illness. In turn, the absolute and non-derogable nature of the right to protection from torture and ill-treatment establishes objective restrictions on certain therapies. In the context of health-related abuses, the focus on the prohibition of torture strengthens the call for accountability and strikes a proper balance between individual freedom and dignity and public health concerns. In that fashion, attention to the torture framework ensures that
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Certain forms of abuses in health-care settings that may cross a threshold of mistreatment that is tantamount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2013, para. 6d
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur calls upon all States to:] Provide appropriate human rights education and information to health-care personnel on the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment and the existence, extent, severity and consequences of various situations amounting to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and promote a culture of respect for human integrity and dignity, respect for diversity and the elimination of attitudes of pathologizaton and homophobia. Train doctors, judges, prosecutors and police on the standards regarding free and informed consent;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Planning for the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2011, para. 83d
- Paragraph text
- [The human rights framework puts a strong emphasis on accountability. Legal frameworks provide the basis for accountability by allowing people to base their claims on legally binding entitlements. These should be complemented by targets backed by relevant and reliable data and reflecting State commitment for which Governments can be held accountable. In this regard:] Where service provision is decentralized, the State must set minimum standards at the national level in order to ensure coherence and countrywide compliance with human rights. As part of the State, local authorities are also bound by human rights law. States must regulate the activities of local governments, and monitor and control their performance in order to ensure that they comply with international human rights obligations. Moreover, States must ensure that these authorities have the necessary financial, human and other resources to effectively discharge their responsibilities. Clear allocation of responsibilities between levels of government is crucial;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Planning for the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2011, para. 82b
- Paragraph text
- [The human rights framework requires a coherent and comprehensive approach to planning that emphasizes the underlying structural causes and systemic biases for the lack of access to water and sanitation. It requires considering how laws, social norms, traditional practices and institutional structures and actions affect access. As such, the human rights framework helps to not only cure the symptoms, that is, the lack of access, but aims at addressing the underlying reasons, leading to more sustainable results. In this regard:] Strategies and plans must be developed through a participatory and inclusive process ensuring, in particular, that disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable people and communities are represented. Participation must go beyond mere information sharing and superficial consultation, and provide real opportunities for influence throughout the planning process;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Participation in the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation 2014, para. 88
- Paragraph text
- In many instances only token attention has been paid to participation. All too often, only the well off and powerful, as determined by gender, ethnicity, income and other factors, "participate" in decision-making, to the exclusion of marginalized members of society. The greatest challenge may lie in ensuring participation on the basis of equality. When participatory processes do not unveil and address entrenched power structures and marginalization, they carry the risk of being manipulative and of reinforcing and "legitimizing" inequalities. Equality and non-discrimination demand structural transformation to remove barriers to meaningful participation for all. They also require deliberation and redistributive action to remedy past patterns of resource allocation that have reinforced marginalization.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph