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OHCHR
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OHCHR and good governance
About good governance
OHCHR and good governance
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About good governance and human rights
What is good governance?
Governance refers to all processes of governing, the institutions,
processes and practices through which issues of common concern
are decided upon and regulated. Good governance adds a
normative or evaluative attribute to the process of governing. From
a human rights perspective it refers primarily to the process
whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public
resources and guarantee the realisation of human rights.
While there is no internationally agreed definition of 'good
governance', it may span the following topics: full respect of human
rights, the rule of law, effective participation, multi-actor
partnerships, political pluralism, transparent and accountable
processes and institutions, an efficient and effective public sector,
legitimacy, access to knowledge, information and education,
political empowerment of people, equity, sustainability, and
attitudes and values that foster responsibility, solidarity and
tolerance.
In summary, good governance relates to the political and
institutional processes and outcomes that are necessary to achieve
the goals of development. The true test of 'good' governance is the
degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights: civil,
cultural, economic, political and social rights. The key question is:
are the institutions of governance effectively guaranteeing the right
to health, adequate housing, sufficient food, quality education, fair
justice and personal security?
Key attributes of good governance
The Human Rights Council has identified the key attributes of good
governance:
transparency
responsibility
accountability
participation
responsiveness (to the needs of the people)
How are good governance and human rights linked?
Good governance and human rights are mutually reinforcing.
Human rights standards and principles provide a set of values to
guide the work of governments and other political and social actors.
They also provide a set of performance standards against which
these actors can be held accountable. Moreover, human rights
principles inform the content of good governance efforts: they may
inform the development of legislative frameworks, policies,
programmes, budgetary allocations and other measures.
On the other hand, without good governance, human rights cannot
be respected and protected in a sustainable manner. The
implementation of human rights relies on a conducive and enabling
environment. This includes appropriate legal frameworks and
institutions as well as political, managerial and administrative
processes responsible for responding to the rights and needs of the
population.
The links between good governance and human rights can be
organised around four areas:
1. Democratic institutions
When led by human rights values, good governance reforms of
democratic institutions create avenues for the public to participate
in policymaking either through formal institutions or informal
consultations. They also establish mechanisms for the inclusion of
multiple social groups in decision-making processes, especially
locally. Finally, they may encourage civil society and local
communities to formulate and express their positions on issues of
importance to them.
2. Public service delivery
In the realm of delivering state services to the public, good
governance reforms advance human rights when they improve the
state's capacity to fulfil its responsibility to provide public goods
which are essential for the protection of a number of human rights,
such as the right to education, health and food. Reform initiatives
may include mechanisms of accountability and transparency,
culturally sensitive policy tools to ensure that services are
accessible and acceptable to all, and paths for public participation in
decision-making.
3. Rule of law
When it comes to the rule of law, human rights-sensitive good
governance initiatives reform legislation and assist institutions
ranging from penal systems to courts and parliaments to better
implement that legislation. Good governance initiatives may include
advocacy for legal reform, public awareness-raising on the national
and international legal framework, and capacity-building or reform
of institutions.
4. Anti-corruption
In fighting corruption, good governance efforts rely on principles
such as accountability, transparency and participation to shape anti-
corruption measures. Initiatives may include establishing institutions
such as anti-corruption commissions, creating mechanisms of
information sharing, and monitoring governments' use of public
funds and implementation of policies.
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