UN Issues Guidance Framework for creating a Human Rights City
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk at the launch of the Guidance Framework for Creating a Human Rights City. © OHCHR / UN Photo View More
On July 22, a global delegation of more than 50 local and regional governments (LRGs), civil society organizations, and experts came together at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva for a high-level dialogue to reaffirm their commitment to implementing human rights at the local level. At the heart of the event was the launch of the “Guidance Framework for Creating a Human Rights City,” a major milestone in the global Human Rights Cities & Territories movement, co-developed by the OHCHR and local governments through the World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
The framework document recognizes the “pivotal role” of local governments in ensuring that human rights standards are implemented, and their “unique position” in helping to “translate [such] standards into concrete solutions that benefit all inhabitants” in their care. The document then identifies some basic structures and tools that municipal governments should prioritize creating following a formal commitment to create a Human Rights City. These include a mechanism to ensure the meaningful participation of all sectors of the community; capacity building at various levels of the community; mechanisms for measuring progress and identifying gaps and challenge areas; and efforts to engage with and learn from international human rights bodies and mechanisms as well as other human rights cities. Finally, the framework includes more advanced actions that cities can work toward implementing long-term.
Additional Information
For additional information on Human Rights Cities and other ways that local authorities engage in subnational oversight of international human rights standards, visit the CGLJ Resource Hub.