NGLS is pleased to announce an online consultation on the Draft Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights (A/HRC/2/2) which were produced by an expert working group under the former UN Sub Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (SCHR) in Geneva. In response to Human Rights Council resolution 2/2 “Human Rights and Extreme Poverty” adopted at its second session, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is conducting a consultation with a deadline of September 1, 2007. The NGLS online consultation will run from August 1st to August 15th, 2007.

In paragraph 5 of the resolution, the Human Rights Council requested the OHCHR to “circulate the draft guiding principles, in order to obtain the views of States, relevant United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organisations, United Nations treaties bodies, special procedures including the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organisations, especially those in which people in situations of extreme poverty express their views, and other relevant stakeholders, and to report to the Council at is seventh session.” http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/poverty/consultation/index.htm

The Draft Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights were developed over a five year period to formulate rules of action to put an end to extreme poverty and realize human rights for all, including the poorest of the poor. Beginning with an Expert Seminar in 2001, and continuing through regional seminars, people living in poverty were able to contribute to this process in a meaningful way, culminating in the presentation of the document in late 2006.

It should be noted that the Draft Guiding Principles refer to poverty as a “human condition characterized by sustained or chronic deprivation of resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights.”

Please submit your comments online from August 1st to August 15th. Kindly note that a reminder with an Internet link will be sent to you on August 1st.