ITEM 7 : The Right to Development Debt Relief, Good Governance and Collective Action
Mr Chairman,
We regret that little progress has been made since the Copenhagen Summit in 1995. It is therefore timely that this session is in meeting just before the Copenhagen+5 Review as well as the coming UN Consultation "Financing for Development" in 2001. Both these meetings need the firm commitment of all governments to make further progress as well as raise resources needed for development in the 21st century. This paper will discuss Debt Relief, Good Governance, Militarisation, Financing and Collective Action in relation to the Right to Development.
1. Debt Relief and the Right to Development
We realize that the debt-burden will always weigh down the nations' potential for development and growth. Ironically, these very loans should have propelled states into a more prosperous economy. Nearly 700 million people in 41 HIPC face a debt burden of US$ 221 billion. In the report E/CN.4/2000/51, it was noted that Zambia's external debt alone accounts for 10% of its budget in comparison with 2.5% for education. This indicates that loans meant for development purposes have galvanized into burdens for the nation. It is imperative that States of the United Nations ".. move from conceptual debates towards operationalisation" [E/CN.4/2000/12 Para 32].
2. Financing the Right to Development
Together with debt cancellation, new mechanisms of "Financing for Development" have to be studied, as many nations would still need money to propel their economy. Since one of the purposes of the UN is the achievement "of international cooperation (is) to solve international problems of economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character." (Article 1 of the Charter), the purpose of loans will have to do just that. The introduction of interest-free loan falls very much within these ideals. Furthermore, it would be morally unacceptable for any institution to earn interest at the expense of the poverty-stricken nations. We call on states to recognize human development indicators in relation to trade policies under WTO rules.
Essentially the right to development involves the financial means to realize development. The world is not short of cash. A total of US$ 890 billion from private capital has flowed into "the emerging markets" selectively, exactly 8 times more than what public credit gives. With so much money available, non-state actors, especially the TNCs and MNCs should actually invest some of their profits into developing these infrastructures together with the State. As many of these private business entities benefit financially from the States' resources be they natural or human, it is only "fair-play" that these business entities contribute part of their profits and put them back into developing the nations.
The right to development is mentioned in the same breath as all other rights enshrined in the Declaration as an inalienable right. We believe that at the core of all development is the realization of full human potential. The realization of this potential cannot be delayed in order that "some rights" be enjoyed first, then other rights later. This dichotomy can only serve to perpetuate States "playing" the tune of the rights of the collective first, then individual rights. It was stated in the High Commissioner's report that the right to development is inter-twined with the prevention of human rights violations [E/CN.4/2000/12 paragraph 22-35].
3. Good Governance and The Right to Development
In many countries, the lack of good governance is eating away at the very cash that is needed for the development of the nation. The level of corruption in many countries is alarming. The billions of dollars that find their way into private pockets is actually in itself a violation of the "collective right" that this right is supposed to protect. Transparency International in releasing its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) shows that many developing nations are in the category of the most corrupt states. We therefore urge states to strengthen their transparency and accountability mechanism in order that money can be utilized for national needs. This can only be achieved when states are committed to ensuring the stringent observation of human rights standards in good governance nationally. A global governance mechanism should be installed to better monitor adherence of States to human rights commitments.
4. Militarisation and State Responsibility
We also realized that many states channel a large part of their budget allocation into "unproductive expenditure" like defense. Fifty per cent of Myanmar's budget goes to maintain one of the world's largest armies whose only major "enemy" is their own Burmese people. It is a mockery when States put their money into defense and then seek development aid for their nation. India and China's vast population have the majority of people living in poverty, yet India increased its defense budget by 28% and China by 21%. This is taking money away from the hands and mouths of those still deprived of food, shelter, water, health facilities etc. We urge nations to reallocate their budgets meaningfully to address the national citizens' basic interests. Article 3 of the Declaration on the Right to Development places primary responsibilities on the State for the realization of the right t o development.
5. Collective Action
In closing, we reaffirm the need to reemphasize that the right to development needs collective action by the Inter-Governmental Organizations, State and civil society. In many Latin American and Asian countries, the involvement of civil society (i.e. NGOs) in the development issues has been very minimal. For some states like Malaysia NGOs are branded as being anti-development because of their vocal critical comments on State policies and are often target of stifling or silencing methods by the states. This marginalises NGOs from participating in developmental concerns. We therefore urge States to be consistent with their flattering pronouncements here in Geneva, and be committed to greater collaboration with NGOs on human rights issues when they return home.
Thank you.
