(d)
Every effort should be made, at each phase of a development project, to ensure
that the rights contained in the Covenants are duly taken into account. This would apply, for
example, in the initial assessment of the priority needs of a particular country, in the
identification of particular projects, in project design, in the implementation of the project,
and in its final evaluation.
9.
A matter which has been of particular concern to the Committee in the examination of
the reports of States parties is the adverse impact of the debt burden and of the relevant
adjustment measures on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in many
countries. The Committee recognizes that adjustment programmes will often be unavoidable
and that these will frequently involve a major element of austerity. Under such
circumstances, however, endeavours to protect the most basic economic, social and cultural
rights become more, rather than less, urgent. States parties to the Covenant, as well as the
relevant United Nations agencies, should thus make a particular effort to ensure that such
protection is, to the maximum extent possible, built-in to programmes and policies designed
to promote adjustment. Such an approach, which is sometimes referred to as “adjustment
with a human face” or as promoting “the human dimension of development” requires that the
goal of protecting the rights of the poor and vulnerable should become a basic objective of
economic adjustment. Similarly, international measures to deal with the debt crisis should
take full account of the need to protect economic, social and cultural rights through, inter alia,
international cooperation. In many situations, this might point to the need for major debt
relief initiatives.
10.
Finally, the Committee wishes to draw attention to the important opportunity provided
to States parties, in accordance with article 22 of the Covenant, to identify in their reports any
particular needs they might have for technical assistance or development cooperation.
Note
“The international dimensions of the right to development as a human right in relation with other
human rights based on international cooperation, including the right to peace, taking into account the
requirements of the new international economic order and the fundamental human needs”
(E/CN.4/1334, para. 314).
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