Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights

Draft General Guidelines on Foreign Debt and Human Rights

In its resolution adopted in April 2004, the Commission on Human Rights (the predecessor to the Human Rights Council) requested the independent expert to draft general guidelines to be followed by States and by private and public, national and international financial institutions in the decision-making and execution of debt repayments and structural reform programmes, including those arising from foreign debt relief, to ensure that compliance with the commitments derived from foreign debt will not undermine the obligations for the realization of fundamental economic, social and cultural rights, as provided for in the international human rights instruments. The former Independent Expert, Mr. Bernards Mudho, undertook consultations to develop guidelines and presented draft general guidelines to the Human Rights Council in March 2008.

In its latest resolution adopted in March 2008, the Council requested the Independent Expert to continue consultations on the draft general guidelines States, international organizations, United Nations agencies, fund and programmes, regional economic commissions, international and regional financial institutions and non-governmental organizations in order to present updated draft general guidelines to the Human Rights Council in 2010.

The Independent Expert welcomes comments and suggestions from all stakeholders on the draft general guidelines. Submissions may be sent to: ieforeigndebt@ohchr.org.

Draft general guidelines

Summary of the draft general guidelines.