The Paris Declaration and the right to development

Brussels, 08/01/08: The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, adopted in March 2005, aims at taking “far-reaching and monitorable actions to reform the ways we deliver and manage aid”. However, human rights, including the right to development, are not specifically addressed in the Paris Declaration. While some of its principles (national ownership and mutual accountability) can be supportive of human rights, the practical implementation of the Declaration could actually work against the right to development and erode national democratic processes. This is the conclusion of a document written by the Executive Director of Instituto del Tercer Mundo and head of the International Secretariat of Social Watch, Mr Roberto Bissio. The document will be submitted to the Human Rights Council in Geneva this week.

Click here to read Roberto Bissio's submission to the Fourth session of the High- Level Task Force on the Implementation of the Right to Development.

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