Concept Note
Consultation with National Human Rights Institutions and academia on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights
12-13 November 2024
Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark
Background:
The vision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding Economic, Social, and
Cultural Rights (ESCR) recognizes the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of economic, social and
cultural rights with civil and political rights. This is ultimately a key enabler for realising the UN 2030
agenda and its 17 development goals ensuring that no-one is left behind.
Economic, social, and cultural rights hold paramount importance in all countries, regardless of their
economic status or level of development. These rights encompass fundamental aspects of human well-
being and enabling social cohesion. Upholding ESCR is not only a moral imperative but also essential
for fostering inclusive and sustainable societies. By ensuring access to necessities and enabling
individuals to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life, countries can unlock their full
potential and achieve long-term prosperity, peace and stability.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of the economic, social and environmental systems, and
saw millions struggling in terms of access to health care and livelihoods. The effects of climate change
have a disproportional impact on people in vulnerable situations, highlighting such rights as the rights
to life, water and housing. Further, the rapidly growing economic in-equality has led to a high level of
economic insecurity impacting all areas of life for the exposed groups.
The consensus resolution 54/22 adopted by the Human Rights Council in 2023 is a reflection of the
need to address several pressing issues at all continents. This includes the rights guaranteed by the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, such as the right to adequate housing,
the right to health, the right to education, the right to social security and issues related to poverty and
inequality that undermines the enjoyment of these rights.
Increased focus and resources towards the realization of ESCR will contribute to addressing key human
rights challenges in Europe. Amplifying action on economic, social and cultural rights will serve as an
accelerator for implementing progress on other human rights. This is in line with OHCHR’s vision to
reinforce its work on ESCRs at the global normative and policy level, and as part of its operations to
support Member States in implementation efforts at the country and regional levels. In the 2024
Vilnius Declaration, member states of the Council of Europe highlighted how ESC provides effective
governance inputs in the pursuit of social justice and the protection of social rights. The Declaration
also underlined the importance of ESC and its monitoring procedures for the protection of social and
economic rights across Europe.
To implement the vision of the High Commissioner, OHCHR aims to engage with Member States,
National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Universities, Parliamentarians, local authorities and other
stakeholders through a collaborative approach. This entails advocating for the incorporation of ESCR
into national legislation and policy frameworks as well as providing technical assistance and capacity-
building initiatives to support implementation efforts at all levels. By engaging in dialogue and
cooperation with these stakeholders, OHCHR seeks to create an enabling environment where ESCRs
are not just aspirational goals but are understood as legal obligations and rights leading to tangible
realities for all individuals. And by creating this enabling environment for ESCR, OHCHR together with
partner NHRIs contributes to the global effort to offer a path for solutions to strengthen trust and social
cohesion as one of the key elements of a Pact for the Future (Summit of the Future), with ESCR
obligations at the centre as guardrails for social development (World Social Summit).
OHCHR is actively seeking to engage NHRIs, parliamentarians, policymakers, universities, CSOs and
other stakeholders to comprehensively understand challenges and opportunities for the realization of
ESCR at the country level. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative endeavours, OHCHR aims
to bridge the gap between rights holders and duty bearers, fostering mutual understanding and
facilitating the creation of effective mechanisms for the realization of ESCR. By leveraging collective
expertise and resources, OHCHR endeavours to empower individuals and communities to claim their
rights while supporting governments in fulfilling their obligations in the realm of ESCR.
NHRI perspective:
Uniquely positioned to promote and protect human rights in our various national contexts, the partner
NHRIs support the vision of the High Commissioner and align ourselves with the objectives and
rationale of this proposal. As further outlined in the current strategic plans for GANHRI and ENNHRI,
we are convinced that an increased sharing of knowledge and experiences and strengthening of
partnerships in the field of ESC rights is key to building the capacity needed to address some of the
most pervasive and pressing challenges in modern societies, as descried above. We particularly
welcome the participation of academic institutions, as well as other human rights actors active at the
national and local levels within our countries. We endeavour to coordinate this initiative, as relevant,
with other joint activities in the field of ESC rights, including the CoE-FRA-ENNHRI-Equinet Economic
and Social Rights Platform.
The 2024 consultations:
In line with the vision of the High Commissioner, OHCHR in partnership with the Swedish Institute for
Human Rights, Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, and the German
Institute for Human Rights is organizing a consultation focusing on key ESCR challenges in Europe. This
includes the right to adequate housing and homelessness, the right to food, health, social security as
well as other economic, social and cultural rights and related issues such as the cost-of-living crisis,
disproportionate and discriminatory impacts on marginalized and vulnerable groups, accountability
and public spending for the realization of ESCR, domestic backsliding and regression from achieved
standards. The consultations will also focus on the role of National Human Rights Institutions,
Parliaments and CSOs in this regard. The aim of the consultations is identifying good practices and
tools that can assist the realization of ESCR at the country level. This will take place through discussions
in roundtable format with both duty bearers and rights holders.
Venue: Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Saatja: "Therese Arnesen" <
[email protected]>
Saaja: "Info" <
[email protected]>
Teema: [VÄLJAST] INVITATION: Consultations on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Europe: 12-13 November
Kuupäev: 2024-10-30 17:22
Dear whom it may concern,
I hope this message finds you well.
Greetings from the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva.
We are organizing a consultation on economic, social and cultural rights in
Europe in partnership with the Swedish Institute for Human Rights, Danish
Institute for Human Rights, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, and the German
Institute for Human Rights. The consultation is taking place in Copenhagen
on 12 and 13 November 2024.
We would be delighted if a representative from your institution could make
it there, either in person or online.
Please find below and attached the invite, concept note and agenda, in the
case that this could be of interest.
I stand available to answer any question that you may have.
Warm regards,
Therese Arnesen
Therese Arnesen
Human Rights Officer
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
E-mail: <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]
Web: <http://www.ohchr.org/> www.ohchr.org
From: OHCHR-BROADCASTTONHRIs < <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, 27 September 2024 16:03
To: OHCHR-BROADCASTTONHRIs < <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]>
Cc: Therese Arnesen < <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]>
Subject: INVITATION: Consultation on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
Dear NHRI representatives,
Please find attached an invitation and concept note on an upcoming
Consultation on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR) taking place on
12 and 13 November 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The consultation focuses on discussing key ESCR challenges in Europe,
focusing inter alia on the rights to adequate housing, food, social
security, health, and more. It provides an opportunity for national human
rights institutions to engage with various stakeholders, including academia
and civil society representatives, through focused discussions and deep
dives on specific rights – as well as on human rights budgeting and
accountability. The aim of the consultations is identifying needs, good
practices and tools that can assist the realization of ESCR at the country
level.
Please find further details in the attached invitation and concept note.
Kindly indicate your availability to participate in the consultations by 11
October to Ms. Therese Arnesen ( <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected] ), who can also provide further information.
Best regards,
National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section (NIRMS)
Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD)
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Email: <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]
Web: <http://www.ohchr.org/> www.ohchr.org
Agenda
Consultation with National Human Rights Institutions on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
12-13 November 2024
Danish Institute for Human Rights, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tuesday 12 November
Time Subject/Title Lead
entity/moderator
09.00 – 09.30 Registration, refreshments
09.30 – 10.00 Official welcome, introduction DIHR and OHCHR
Online opening remarks Format: Plenary
Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on Extreme
Poverty and Human Rights (confirmed)
10.00 – 11.00 The ESCR situation in Europe and the cost-of-living crisis German Institute for
Human Rights: Le
Presentations Phan-Warnke
1. Aoife Nolan, President of the European
Committee of Social Rights, CoE (confirmed, Format: Plenary
online)
2. Katerina Charokopou, Greek National
Commission for Human Rights/ENNHRI ESCR WG
(confirmed)
11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break
11.30 – 13.00 MAR Framework: Budget, taxation and accountability OHCHR: Chafik Ben
Rouin
Presentations
1. Chafik Ben Rouin, OHCHR Format: Plenary
2. Michael Windfuhr, CESCR
3. Michelle Cañas Comas, GI-ESCR (online)
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.00 Thematic deep dive 1: The right to adequate housing OHCHR: Therese
Arnesen
Presentations
1. Freek Spinnewijn, FEANTSA (confirmed, online) Format: Plenary
2. Tamar Gvaramadz, Public Defender’s Office of
Georgia (online)
15.00 – 15.30 Coffee break
15.30 – 16.30 Thematic deep dive 2: The right to adequate food German Institute for
Human Rights:
Presentations: Michael Windfuhr
1. FIAN International (confirmed, online)
2. Slovak National Centre for Human Rights Format: Plenary
16.30 – 17.00 Wrap up day 1 Swedish Institute for
Human Rights
Wednesday 13 November
Time Subject/Title Discussant
09.00 – 09.30 Opening, recap of day 1, outline of day 2 DIHR and OHCHR
09.30 – 11.00 Tools session: ESCR monitoring tools OHCHR: Chafik Ben
Rouin
Presentations
1. Scottish Human Rights Commission Format: Plenary
2. Danish Institute for Human Rights: indicators
11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break
11.30 – 13.00 Thematic deep dive 3: The right to health RWI: Morten
Kjaerum
Presentations
1. University of Gothenburg (tbc) Format: Plenary
2. The human rights hospital in Angered
(confirmed)
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.00 Thematic deep dive 4: The right to social security Swedish Institute for
Human Rights:
Presentations Tobias Rahm
1. Johanna Saunders,
Swedish Red Cross (confirmed) Format: Plenary
2. Tena šimonović Einwalter, Ombudswoman of
the Republic of Croatia (online)
15.00 – 16.00 The way forward - closing remarks OHCHR: Pradeep
Wagle
RWI: Morten
Kjaerum