Prospects for Human Rights in the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Abstract

The prospects for including a human rights based approach in the post-2015 Development Agenda are dim if one considers the underlying reasons why the initial Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were essentially silent on human rights. In this paper I will begin by exploring the obstacles to inclusion of human rights in the MDGs resulting from differing perceptions of development theory and practice. Secondly, I will examine some promising and some disappointing efforts to mainstream human rights in the post-2015 development agenda through official governmental and unofficial non-governmental and academic efforts. The third part will address the specific recommendations that have been made and conclude by highlighting those that appear reasonable and feasible to ensure that the new sustainable development goals are at least human rights sensitive and at best human rights based.