Independent Expert on human rights and extreme poverty

English | Español | Français |

Countries Issues International Law Human Rights Bodies About OHCHR

In this section

Introduction

International Standards

Independent Expert on human rights and extreme poverty

Introduction

Don't forget human rights, UN Experts urge General Assembly session on financial crisis

The urgent need to strengthen social protection systems” – Submission to the UN Conference on the
World Financial and Economic Crisis

Informe de la Experta Independiente sobre la misión al Ecuador

Report of the Independent Expert on cash transfer programmes

Statement to the Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the impact of the global
economic and financial crises on the universal realization and effective
enjoyment of human rights

More press releases...

The mandate of UN Independent Expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty was established to evaluate the relationship between the enjoyment of human rights and extreme poverty.

The expert is required by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back to member States on initiatives taken to promote and protect the rights of those living in extreme poverty. This position is honorary and the expert is not United Nations staff nor paid for her work.

Issues in Focus:

The Independent Expert focused her first thematic report on a human rights approach to cash transfer programmes. The report analyses the impact of cash transfer programmes on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by people living in extreme poverty and provides recommendations on cash transfer programmes from a human rights perspective.

La Experta Independiente centró su primer informe temático sobre los programas de transferencia en efectivo. El informe analiza el impacto de los programas de transferencia en efectivo sobre los derechos humanos de las personas que viven en extrema pobreza y ofrece recomendaciones sobre los programas de transferencias en efectivo desde una perspectiva de derechos humanos.

Objectives of the mandate

Through its resolution 8/11 , the Human Rights Council requests the Independent Expert to:

Identify approaches for removing all obstacles, including institutional ones, to the full enjoyment of human rights for people living in extreme poverty and to identify efficient measures to promote their rights.
Make recommendations on how persons living in extreme poverty can participate in the definition of measures affecting them.
Study the impact of discrimination and to pay particular attention to the situation of women, children and other vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities living in extreme poverty.
Participate in the assessment of the implementation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty and to submit recommendations on the realization of Millennium Development Goals, in particular the first goal.
Develop cooperation with United Nations bodies dealing with the same subject and to continue participating in relevant international conferences on extreme poverty.

Main activities

Poverty - Copyright : UN Photo/Mark Garten In the fulfillment of the mandate, the Independent Expert:

Undertakes country visits ;
Responds to information received concerning the human rights situation of people living in extreme poverty;
Develops constructive dialogue with Governments, international organizations, civil society and other relevant actors with a view to identifying ways to remove all obstacles to the full enjoyment of human rights for people living in extreme poverty .
Submits annual reports to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly on the activities of the mandate.

Independent Expert :

Ms. Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona ( Chile ), since May 2008
Mr. Arjun SENGUPTA ( India ), August 2004-April 2008
Ms. A. M. LIZIN ( Belgium ), April 1998-July 2004

Site map