ENNHRI has launched a Guide for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) on ‘Applying a Human Rights-Based Approach to Poverty Reduction and Measurement’. The Guide outlines 7 principles for advancing a human rights-based approach in this area, showcasing practical examples of how European NHRIs already adopt this approach with recommendations for concrete actions.

NHRIs are ideal actors in supporting a human rights-based approach to poverty reduction and measurement, given their broad human rights mandate and position as interlocutors between civil society and the state. In accordance with the UN Paris Principles, NHRIs are mandated to promote and protect human rights, enabling them to hold states accountable, promote a culture of rights, and directly engage with rights-holders, including people living in poverty.

In accordance with this, the Guide makes recommendations around the following 7 principles:

1. Accountability
2. Equality and non-discrimination
3. Participation
4. Data disaggregation
5. Using a plurality of methodologies
6. Measuring the non-take-up of rights
7. Protecting personal data

The Guide is based on a study conducted at ENNHRI’s request by Olivier De Schutter, Professor at Université catholique de Louvain and SciencesPo and Member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The study builds on information provided by 16 European NHRIs about poverty reduction and measurement strategies and National Action Plans to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

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