Independent Expert on human rights and extreme poverty

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Introduction

International Standards

Independent Expert on human rights and extreme poverty

Introduction

Social Protection Systems and the Financial and Economic Crisis

23 October 2009: Presentation of the report at the General Assembly third committee
The full text of the statement is available in English and in Spanish

The latest report of the Independent Expert is available here: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/poverty/expert/annual.htm
The report addresses the impact of the current global financial crisis on the rights of people living in extreme poverty. It stresses that the crisis offers an opportunity to move beyond the re-structuring of the global financial and monetary systems and to place people at the centre of policy measures by enhancing social protection systems, using a human rights based approach.

Expert speaks on the International Day on the Eradication of Poverty: "No green shoots of recovery for the world's poor"

Expert speaks on the International Day of Older Persons: "Pensions are the key to human rights for
poor older persons and their families"

Extreme poverty: Zambia needs to move "from rhetoric to action," says UN expert
The Independent Expert on human rights and extreme poverty visited Zambia between 20 and 28 August. She organised her visit around the analysis of some key social policies, in particular those related to social protection.

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:

In 2010, the expert intends to study the role that social protection systems play in reducing extreme poverty and contributing to the realization of human rights of older persons. She will look in particular at income security programmes such as old age non contributory pensions.
The capacity of older persons to maintain an adequate level of income security depends on their health status, as they are more vulnerable to ailments or chronic diseases. Older persons require, often more accutely than others, access to social services and essential medicines, adequate food and nutrition, safe access to water and sanitation. In the meantime, care and support by families and communities cannot be taken for grated as it has been in the past, to ensure that these growing needs are met. Ageing poses challenges to States in the development policies that take into account all aspects of the quality of life of older persons, not only that of income security.
Human rights call for increased access to social security; they also inform how the expansion of social security should be carried out.

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

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