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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
News

Greek crisis: “Keep in mind the people’s basic human rights” – UN expert on rights and foreign debt
30 June 2011

‘Vulture funds’ – UN expert welcomes UK law to halt profiteering, but warns the fight is not over yet
19 May 2011

Statement by Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt: End of Mission to Viet Nam, 21-29 March 2011
29 March 2011

UN rights expert urges Solomon Islands to break the cycle of aid dependency
22 February 2011

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 - Mission to Solomon Islands, 14-18 February 2011
18 February 2011

UN expert stressed the need to integrate a human rights-based approach into Australia’s development aid policy and programmes
11 February 2011

Vulture funds' - UN Expert on foreign debt welcomes landmark law to address profiteering
20 April 2010

UN Expert calls for urgent cancellation of Haiti’s remaining multilateral debt
4 February 2010

More press releases ...


Fourth Regional Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Draft General Guidelines on Foreign Debt and Human Rights
Geneva, 20-21 June 2011, Palais des Nations

In resolution 7/4, the Human Rights Council requested further work on the development of the guidelines on foreign debt and human rights. In this regard, the Council called upon the Independent Expert to seek the views and suggestions of States, international organizations, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, regional economic commissions, international and regional financial institutions and non-government organizations on the draft general guidelines. More...

 

 

 

Dr. Cephas Lumina is the current 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. In general, the Independent Expert carries out analytical research, as well as undertaking country missions, in an effort to work with Governments, the United Nations, non-governmental actors and other stakeholders on issues falling under his mandate. The terms of his mandate are contained in Human Rights Council resolution 7/4, which requests him to pay particular attention to:

(a) The effects of foreign debt and the policies adopted to address them on the full enjoyment of all human rights, in particular, economic, social and cultural rights in developing countries;

(b) The impact of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations on the capacity of States to design and implement policies and programmes, including national budgets that respond to vital requirements for the promotion of the realization of social rights;

(c) Measures taken by Governments, the private sector and international financial institutions to alleviate such effects in developing countries, especially the poorest and heavily indebted countries;

(d) New developments, actions and initiatives being taken by international financial institutions, other United Nations bodies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations with respect to economic reform policies and human rights;

(e) Quantification of minimum standards to support the realization of the Millennium Development Goals;

(f) Enhancement of consultations with all relevant stakeholders in the fulfillment of his mandate;

UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeThe Council also requests the Independent Expert to explore, through his annual analytical report, the interlinkages with trade and other issues, including HIV/AIDS, when examining the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights. He is also called upon to contribute, as appropriate, to the follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development, with a view to highlighting the broad scope of his mandate.

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.

As a part of his mandate, the Independent Expert carries out country missions to study the effects of foreign debt on the realization of human rights and to engage in dialogues with the Government, international financial institutions, UN agencies and civil society as a part of his global analysis of the subject as well as to develop practical recommendations and suggestions to the countries concerned.  The Independent Expert also engages in consultations with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as other international organizations active in the areas of development aid.

 
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