Frequently Asked Questions on Human Rights-Based Approach

4. Participatory process. Accountabilities for achieving theseresults or standards are determined through participatoryprocesses (policy development, national planning), andreflect the consensus between those whose rights are violatedand those with a duty to act. A human rights-basedapproach seeks both to assist in the participatory formulationof the needed policy and legislative framework, andto ensure that participatory and democratic processes areinstitutionalized locally and nationally (including throughcapacity-building among families, communities and civilsociety to participate constructively in relevant forums).5. Transparency and accountability. A human rights-basedapproach helps to formulate policy, legislation, regulationsand budgets that clearly determine the particular humanright(s) to be addressed—what must be done and to whatstandard, who is accountable—and ensures the availabilityof needed capacities (or resources to build the lacking capacities).The approach helps to make the policy formulationprocess more transparent, and empowers people andcommunities to hold those who have a duty to act accountable,ensuring effective remedies where rights are violated.2. Holistic view. A programme guided by a human rightsbasedapproach takes a holistic view of its environment,considering the family, the community, civil society, localand national authorities. It considers the social, politicaland legal framework that determines the relationship betweenthose institutions, and the resulting claims, dutiesand accountabilities. A human rights-based approachlifts sectoral “blinkers” and facilitates an integrated responseto multifaceted development problems.3. International instruments. Specific results, standards ofservice delivery and conduct are derived from universalhuman rights instruments, conventions and other internationallyagreed goals, targets, norms or standards.A human rights-based approach assists countries intranslating such goals and standards into time-boundand achievable national results.17