Novel Mechanisms to Link Human Rights Accountability and MDG Commitments

UNDP Turkey has recently initiated the project, Linking the Millennium Development Goals to Human Rights, which aims to map the roles of ‘right holders’ and ‘duty bearers’ onto MDG commitments at the local level. Workshops are being held in 7 pilot cities, in cooperation with local Bar Associations and LA21 City Councils (participatory platforms established through the Local Agenda 21 Governance Network), which focus on linking MDGs and human rights in local development planning, and framing the relationship of municipalities and local participatory platforms in the language of duty bearers and right holders. The workshops will lead to the production of a Toolkit for LA21 City Councils, which will provide guidance on claiming rights and monitoring the progress of municipalities in locally pursuing the MDGs. The workshops also aim to foster cooperation between LA21 City Councils and local bar associations, bringing MDG monitoring and enforcement within the normative framework of the law. Among other initiatives, the workshops investigate the potential for public interest litigation in administrative courts for failure to fulfil MDG commitments that correspond to human rights enshrined in the national constitution and international law.

Lessons Learned The programme is still in the preliminary phases.

Tools Developed Toolkit for LA21 City Councils on human rights and MDGs. (forthcoming, fall 2007)