UN Human Rights Office in Geneva_kiri

Concept Note

Consultation with National Human Rights Institutions and academia on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights

12-13 November 2024

Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark

Background:

The vision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding Economic, Social, and

Cultural Rights (ESCR) recognizes the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of economic, social and

cultural rights with civil and political rights. This is ultimately a key enabler for realising the UN 2030

agenda and its 17 development goals ensuring that no-one is left behind.

Economic, social, and cultural rights hold paramount importance in all countries, regardless of their

economic status or level of development. These rights encompass fundamental aspects of human well-

being and enabling social cohesion. Upholding ESCR is not only a moral imperative but also essential

for fostering inclusive and sustainable societies. By ensuring access to necessities and enabling

individuals to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life, countries can unlock their full

potential and achieve long-term prosperity, peace and stability.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of the economic, social and environmental systems, and

saw millions struggling in terms of access to health care and livelihoods. The effects of climate change

have a disproportional impact on people in vulnerable situations, highlighting such rights as the rights

to life, water and housing. Further, the rapidly growing economic in-equality has led to a high level of

economic insecurity impacting all areas of life for the exposed groups.

The consensus resolution 54/22 adopted by the Human Rights Council in 2023 is a reflection of the

need to address several pressing issues at all continents. This includes the rights guaranteed by the

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, such as the right to adequate housing,

the right to health, the right to education, the right to social security and issues related to poverty and

inequality that undermines the enjoyment of these rights.

Increased focus and resources towards the realization of ESCR will contribute to addressing key human

rights challenges in Europe. Amplifying action on economic, social and cultural rights will serve as an

accelerator for implementing progress on other human rights. This is in line with OHCHR’s vision to

reinforce its work on ESCRs at the global normative and policy level, and as part of its operations to

support Member States in implementation efforts at the country and regional levels. In the 2024

Vilnius Declaration, member states of the Council of Europe highlighted how ESC provides effective

governance inputs in the pursuit of social justice and the protection of social rights. The Declaration

also underlined the importance of ESC and its monitoring procedures for the protection of social and

economic rights across Europe.

To implement the vision of the High Commissioner, OHCHR aims to engage with Member States,

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Universities, Parliamentarians, local authorities and other

stakeholders through a collaborative approach. This entails advocating for the incorporation of ESCR

into national legislation and policy frameworks as well as providing technical assistance and capacity-

building initiatives to support implementation efforts at all levels. By engaging in dialogue and

cooperation with these stakeholders, OHCHR seeks to create an enabling environment where ESCRs

are not just aspirational goals but are understood as legal obligations and rights leading to tangible

realities for all individuals. And by creating this enabling environment for ESCR, OHCHR together with

partner NHRIs contributes to the global effort to offer a path for solutions to strengthen trust and social

cohesion as one of the key elements of a Pact for the Future (Summit of the Future), with ESCR

obligations at the centre as guardrails for social development (World Social Summit).

OHCHR is actively seeking to engage NHRIs, parliamentarians, policymakers, universities, CSOs and

other stakeholders to comprehensively understand challenges and opportunities for the realization of

ESCR at the country level. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative endeavours, OHCHR aims

to bridge the gap between rights holders and duty bearers, fostering mutual understanding and

facilitating the creation of effective mechanisms for the realization of ESCR. By leveraging collective

expertise and resources, OHCHR endeavours to empower individuals and communities to claim their

rights while supporting governments in fulfilling their obligations in the realm of ESCR.

NHRI perspective:

Uniquely positioned to promote and protect human rights in our various national contexts, the partner

NHRIs support the vision of the High Commissioner and align ourselves with the objectives and

rationale of this proposal. As further outlined in the current strategic plans for GANHRI and ENNHRI,

we are convinced that an increased sharing of knowledge and experiences and strengthening of

partnerships in the field of ESC rights is key to building the capacity needed to address some of the

most pervasive and pressing challenges in modern societies, as descried above. We particularly

welcome the participation of academic institutions, as well as other human rights actors active at the

national and local levels within our countries. We endeavour to coordinate this initiative, as relevant,

with other joint activities in the field of ESC rights, including the CoE-FRA-ENNHRI-Equinet Economic

and Social Rights Platform.

The 2024 consultations:

In line with the vision of the High Commissioner, OHCHR in partnership with the Swedish Institute for

Human Rights, Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, and the German

Institute for Human Rights is organizing a consultation focusing on key ESCR challenges in Europe. This

includes the right to adequate housing and homelessness, the right to food, health, social security as

well as other economic, social and cultural rights and related issues such as the cost-of-living crisis,

disproportionate and discriminatory impacts on marginalized and vulnerable groups, accountability

and public spending for the realization of ESCR, domestic backsliding and regression from achieved

standards. The consultations will also focus on the role of National Human Rights Institutions,

Parliaments and CSOs in this regard. The aim of the consultations is identifying good practices and

tools that can assist the realization of ESCR at the country level. This will take place through discussions

in roundtable format with both duty bearers and rights holders.

Venue: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Agenda

Consultation with National Human Rights Institutions on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

12-13 November 2024

Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark

Tuesday 12 November

Time Subject/Title Lead entity/moderator

09.00 – 09.30 Registration, refreshments

09.30 – 10.00

Official welcome, introduction Online opening remarks Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights (confirmed)

DIHR and OHCHR Format: Plenary

10.00 – 11.00

The ESCR situation in Europe and the cost-of-living crisis Presentations

1. Aoife Nolan, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, CoE (confirmed, online)

2. Katerina Charokopou, Greek National Commission for Human Rights/ENNHRI ESCR WG (confirmed)

German Institute for Human Rights: Le Phan-Warnke Format: Plenary

11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break

11.30 – 13.00

MAR Framework: Budget, taxation and accountability Presentations

1. Chafik Ben Rouin, OHCHR 2. Michael Windfuhr, CESCR 3. Michelle Cañas Comas, GI-ESCR (online)

OHCHR: Chafik Ben Rouin Format: Plenary

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 – 15.00

Thematic deep dive 1: The right to adequate housing Presentations

1. Freek Spinnewijn, FEANTSA (confirmed, online) 2. Tamar Gvaramadz, Public Defender’s Office of

Georgia (online)

OHCHR: Therese Arnesen Format: Plenary

15.00 – 15.30 Coffee break

15.30 – 16.30

Thematic deep dive 2: The right to adequate food Presentations:

1. FIAN International (confirmed, online) 2. Slovak National Centre for Human Rights

German Institute for Human Rights: Michael Windfuhr Format: Plenary

16.30 – 17.00 Wrap up day 1 Swedish Institute for Human Rights

Wednesday 13 November

Time Subject/Title Discussant

09.00 – 09.30 Opening, recap of day 1, outline of day 2 DIHR and OHCHR

09.30 – 11.00

Tools session: ESCR monitoring tools Presentations

1. Scottish Human Rights Commission 2. Danish Institute for Human Rights: indicators

OHCHR: Chafik Ben Rouin Format: Plenary

11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break

11.30 – 13.00

Thematic deep dive 3: The right to health Presentations

1. University of Gothenburg (tbc) 2. The human rights hospital in Angered

(confirmed)

RWI: Morten Kjaerum Format: Plenary

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 – 15.00

Thematic deep dive 4: The right to social security Presentations

1. Johanna Saunders, Swedish Red Cross (confirmed)

2. Tena šimonović Einwalter, Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia (online)

Swedish Institute for Human Rights: Tobias Rahm Format: Plenary

15.00 – 16.00

The way forward - closing remarks

OHCHR: Pradeep Wagle RWI: Morten Kjaerum

Concept Note

Consultation with National Human Rights Institutions and academia on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights

12-13 November 2024

Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark

Background:

The vision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding Economic, Social, and

Cultural Rights (ESCR) recognizes the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of economic, social and

cultural rights with civil and political rights. This is ultimately a key enabler for realising the UN 2030

agenda and its 17 development goals ensuring that no-one is left behind.

Economic, social, and cultural rights hold paramount importance in all countries, regardless of their

economic status or level of development. These rights encompass fundamental aspects of human well-

being and enabling social cohesion. Upholding ESCR is not only a moral imperative but also essential

for fostering inclusive and sustainable societies. By ensuring access to necessities and enabling

individuals to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life, countries can unlock their full

potential and achieve long-term prosperity, peace and stability.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of the economic, social and environmental systems, and

saw millions struggling in terms of access to health care and livelihoods. The effects of climate change

have a disproportional impact on people in vulnerable situations, highlighting such rights as the rights

to life, water and housing. Further, the rapidly growing economic in-equality has led to a high level of

economic insecurity impacting all areas of life for the exposed groups.

The consensus resolution 54/22 adopted by the Human Rights Council in 2023 is a reflection of the

need to address several pressing issues at all continents. This includes the rights guaranteed by the

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, such as the right to adequate housing,

the right to health, the right to education, the right to social security and issues related to poverty and

inequality that undermines the enjoyment of these rights.

Increased focus and resources towards the realization of ESCR will contribute to addressing key human

rights challenges in Europe. Amplifying action on economic, social and cultural rights will serve as an

accelerator for implementing progress on other human rights. This is in line with OHCHR’s vision to

reinforce its work on ESCRs at the global normative and policy level, and as part of its operations to

support Member States in implementation efforts at the country and regional levels. In the 2024

Vilnius Declaration, member states of the Council of Europe highlighted how ESC provides effective

governance inputs in the pursuit of social justice and the protection of social rights. The Declaration

also underlined the importance of ESC and its monitoring procedures for the protection of social and

economic rights across Europe.

To implement the vision of the High Commissioner, OHCHR aims to engage with Member States,

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Universities, Parliamentarians, local authorities and other

stakeholders through a collaborative approach. This entails advocating for the incorporation of ESCR

into national legislation and policy frameworks as well as providing technical assistance and capacity-

building initiatives to support implementation efforts at all levels. By engaging in dialogue and

cooperation with these stakeholders, OHCHR seeks to create an enabling environment where ESCRs

are not just aspirational goals but are understood as legal obligations and rights leading to tangible

realities for all individuals. And by creating this enabling environment for ESCR, OHCHR together with

partner NHRIs contributes to the global effort to offer a path for solutions to strengthen trust and social

cohesion as one of the key elements of a Pact for the Future (Summit of the Future), with ESCR

obligations at the centre as guardrails for social development (World Social Summit).

OHCHR is actively seeking to engage NHRIs, parliamentarians, policymakers, universities, CSOs and

other stakeholders to comprehensively understand challenges and opportunities for the realization of

ESCR at the country level. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative endeavours, OHCHR aims

to bridge the gap between rights holders and duty bearers, fostering mutual understanding and

facilitating the creation of effective mechanisms for the realization of ESCR. By leveraging collective

expertise and resources, OHCHR endeavours to empower individuals and communities to claim their

rights while supporting governments in fulfilling their obligations in the realm of ESCR.

NHRI perspective:

Uniquely positioned to promote and protect human rights in our various national contexts, the partner

NHRIs support the vision of the High Commissioner and align ourselves with the objectives and

rationale of this proposal. As further outlined in the current strategic plans for GANHRI and ENNHRI,

we are convinced that an increased sharing of knowledge and experiences and strengthening of

partnerships in the field of ESC rights is key to building the capacity needed to address some of the

most pervasive and pressing challenges in modern societies, as descried above. We particularly

welcome the participation of academic institutions, as well as other human rights actors active at the

national and local levels within our countries. We endeavour to coordinate this initiative, as relevant,

with other joint activities in the field of ESC rights, including the CoE-FRA-ENNHRI-Equinet Economic

and Social Rights Platform.

The 2024 consultations:

In line with the vision of the High Commissioner, OHCHR in partnership with the Swedish Institute for

Human Rights, Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, and the German

Institute for Human Rights is organizing a consultation focusing on key ESCR challenges in Europe. This

includes the right to adequate housing and homelessness, the right to food, health, social security as

well as other economic, social and cultural rights and related issues such as the cost-of-living crisis,

disproportionate and discriminatory impacts on marginalized and vulnerable groups, accountability

and public spending for the realization of ESCR, domestic backsliding and regression from achieved

standards. The consultations will also focus on the role of National Human Rights Institutions,

Parliaments and CSOs in this regard. The aim of the consultations is identifying good practices and

tools that can assist the realization of ESCR at the country level. This will take place through discussions

in roundtable format with both duty bearers and rights holders.

Venue: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark.