"We Will Spare No Effort" A Civil Society Call to Action for the Five Year Review of the Millennium Summit and the Millennium Development Goals, June 2005

III. Freedom to Live in Dignity

The MDGs are implicitly embedded in a human rights framework, in terms of legal basis and of conceptual inspiration.

-- CONGO Statement on MDGs & Human Rights

In the “Freedom to Live in Dignity” section of his report, the UN Secretary-General calls for specific measures pertaining to human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Civil society organizations strongly support the human rights based approach to development and the importance of democracy at all levels of society.

The Rights based Approach

Whether it be pertaining to poverty eradication, gender justice, children’s rights, indigenous peoples, or the right to clean water, civil society groups as a whole reaffirmed their commitment to the human rights based approach to development and to the United Nations work across the system.

It was recalled that the denial of basic health, education and nutrition constituted human rights violations. Thus the full and effective protection and enforcement of human rights standards are essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Responsibility to protect should be pursued in accordance with international law and in a consistent manner, as articulated by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty and by criteria advocated by the Secretary-General, consistent with Article 51 of the UN Charter. We note the primary responsibility to prevent, along with the responsibilities to react and to rebuild.

-- Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict

Responsibility to Protect

Civil society organizations welcomed the Secretary-General’s support for the “Responsibility to Protect” principle. They noted that in the face of massive violations of human rights, the international community has a responsibility to protect victims from genocide, mass rape and other human rights violations. Groups emphasized that it is preferable to focus on the prevention of violent conflict.
Groups underscored the need to balance human security concerns with state security considerations.
Several groups noted that states should cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court, as an important instrument in the protection of human rights.

From the perspective of the South, it is important to bring back an emboldened state if global issues are going to be addressed collectively and in a coordinated manner.

-- Third World Network

Rule of Law & Democracy

Groups noted that national governments bear primary responsibility to ensure a society based on the rule of law. Thus, a functioning, democratic government, responsive to its citizens and that partners with civil society, is essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
It was observed by several organizations that while governments might agree to various treaties, conventions, and UN plans of action, they are often slow to act on those commitments. The strengthening and support of global monitoring bodies should address this commitment gap.
It was noted that the United Nations should improve its cooperation with civil society organizations as an essential vehicle for promoting democracy around the world. Beyond free-and-fair elections and effective government institutions, a vibrant and diverse civil society is crucial for the development of a truly democratic society. Thus any United Nations funds to support democracy building at the national level should include projects spearheaded by civil society organizations.

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