What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Applying a Human Rights-Based Approach to Development - Term Paper Example

 What are the benefits and drawbacks of applying a human rights-based approach to development? Introduction Human Rights-Based Approach to Development Human rights-Based Approach (HRBA) refers to a process in which human development is to be seen from the perspective of right rather than need, charity or other similar models; and both (human rights and development) are closely related to each other as well (Ussar, 2011). Within this context, it is important to highlight a distinction between need and right because this difference between these two words will clearly and appropriately define and explain the basic purpose behind putting forward the concept of HRBA to development. Need is something that can be fulfilled when others consider it. For example, if a country faces the problem of food shortage and other country extend aid for reducing the food shortage, this situation hallmarks the concept of need. On the other hand, right is something that can be claimed and that must be extended by others. As a result, it can be extracted that globally humans have right to claim for their part of share and right in the process of development. And it is this approach that is gaining momentum in many parts of world as the United Nations, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), European Union and other international organizations have already acknowledged the validity of this approach (Ussar, 2011). Advantages Participation in Development This is the main benefit that this approach has participatory approach for extending the ambit of development to the needy classes of society (Gilbert, 2014). In the traditional development process, only the rich has been allowed to avail the benefits of development in which all types of basic human needs are easily provided to the rich classes. However, thanks to the HRBA, in the process of development, some part of that development can be provided to the poor, who are unable to avail these basic necessities. In addition, through this process, the poor will be in a better position to contribute to the development process as well. For example, if children of poor family have been given right to avail education of an international repute and all educational expenses are borne by the international rich countries and donor agencies as well, after a few years, the same children can become scientist, who invent new drug to cure the disease of HIV and AIDS. In other words, the rich countries and donor agencies have not only given right to a poor family but they have also enabled them to participate in the war against HIV and AIDs which are the main hurdle against global growth and development as a considerable amount of funds are allocated to control the damage of such deadly diseases. Benefits to Under-privileged Masses The HRBA identifies local masses for providing food, medical assistance, education and other basic human rights (Paupp, 2014). Currently, poverty and diseases have taken away the right to have healthy and prosperous life. Due to these factors, many African nations and some Asian states are constantly experiencing the rise of poverty, lawlessness, corruption, diseases and other socio-economic problems. For example, currently Sierra Leone and Guinea are two African countries who are suffering the onslaught of new deadly virus called EBOLA. Due to the absence of any medical treatment to this type of disease, these nations have been forced to impose state emergency and take necessary precautionary measures for preventing the spread of this disease. Furthermore, these African countries are not financially sound and stable but the majority of the population lives less than dollar a day. Under this situation, the HRBA is a real hope for masses living in these states as this approach enables them to avail free medical support as their right. Integration and Cooperation This approach call for close integration and cooperation among international agencies, and local masses for obtaining the objectives of the HRBA(The World Bank and the OECD, 2013). Currently, many international agencies and local masses have limited interaction and cooperation. Due to this situation, the objective of global development and Millennium Development Goals are not being pursued in a required manner. Consequently, this creates gap and makes it hard to achieve these objectives. In order to avoid this situation, the HRBA provides them an opportunity to experience integration and cooperation at all levels. The international agencies will remain in constant touch and interaction with the local masses because without this active, strong and stable integration and cooperation, it will not be possible to ensure the attainment of HRBA objectives. Drawbacks Absence of Practical Application Till this point of time, the lack of concrete application clearly demonstrates that this approach has inbuilt flaws which make it difficult for the approach to deliver practically (Gilbert, 2014). In its very essence, the HRBA to development is remarkable proposition as it offers inclusion of all vulnerable segments of society to the process of global development. However, this approach has not provided any concrete application for proving its practical validity and usefulness. On the face of it, this approach looks attractive and promising as well but on ground it has not contributed substantially. For example, this approach has not highlighted the rights and roles of both parties (contributors and the recipients) and at the same time, there is no legal cover and legal rights for the recipients in case the contributors fail to live up to its promises of support. Expensive Method Assessing and extending the provisions based on the HRBA is more expensive than sharing assistance through need based mechanism (Oliver-Smith, 2010). Even if a social contract is developed and signed between contributors and recipients, the recipients will not be able to use the legal support for obtaining its right because the cost of using legal support will be substantially higher for the recipients. Consequently, they will not be in a position to claim their right using the legal method. Weak Participatory Mechanism The absence of internationally accepted and practiced participatory mechanism makes it hard for implementing the HRBA (Elson et al., 2012). Till this point of time, no participatory mechanism has been developed for including the under-privileged masses in the process of growth and development. For example, there should have been a road map describing the type of support, method of delivery, tracking the achievement of milestones (objectives), identification of recipients, number of years, number of members in the recipient family and other necessary steps essential for carrying out the process of involving the poor masses in the development process. At the international agencies level, certain efforts have been made but these attempts clearly lack the absolute and effective participatory mechanism. In the absence of any active and stable participatory mechanism process, it will be very hard to achieve the objectives of the HRBA to development. Conclusion The HRBA to development is based on the concept of right rather than need. In which, the provision of basic human needs should be given to the under privileged masses by keeping in view the concept of right rather than need. This approach has numerous advantages and disadvantages as well. The advantages include the participation in the process of development in which the poor are given right to avail the benefits and rights which are given to the rich so that both should avail the same type and level of access to the basic human needs. Also, medical assistance, food, education, health and other facilities are to be extended as a right to the poor segment of the society. However, due to the absence of concrete practical application and strong participatory mechanism, the HRBA to development has failed to meet its objectives of providing equitable rights to all humans. References Elson, D., Fukuda-Parr, S. Vizard, P. (Eds.) (2012). Human Rights and Capabilities Approach: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue. New York: Routledge. Gilbert, J. (2014). Nomadic Peoples and Human Rights. New York: Routledge. Oliver-Smith, A. (2010). Defying Displacement: Grassroots Resistance and the Critique of Development. Texas: University of Texas Press. Paupp, T.E. (2014). Redefining Human Rights in the Struggle for Peace and Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press. The World Bank., the OECD., (2013). Integrating Human Rights into Development: Donor Approaches, Experiences, and Challenges. 2nd edn. Washington: The World Bank. Ussar, M. (2011). The Human Rights-based Approach: A More Effective Framework for International Development Policies in New EU Member States. Minority Rights Group International. Available: www.minorityrights.org/download.php?id=1004 Accessed: 18 September, 2014 Read More