Transparency and participatory trade policy processes An obligation under Human Rights Law 3D > Trade - Human Rights - Equitable Economy Maison des Associations - Rue des Savoises Genève - Switzerland T F

Access to information is a human right Participation in decisions by which one is affected is a human right

Some sources of the rights to information and to participate: ICCPR Article 19 Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. CRC Article 13 The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice. ICCPR Article 25 Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives ; …

But why is framing these as human rights significant for work on trade?

Human rights are broad in scope Human rights are legally binding Governments have themselves agreed to be bound Have means of implementation and redress, available to individuals or groups Focus on vulnerable groups National and international dimensions

Cf: Study of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on participation and its application in the context of globalization, E/CN.4/2005/41, 2004.

How to operationalize these rights? Governments should respect their obligations and act in accordance with them Civil society actors should hold governments accountable

3D > Trade - Human Rights - Equitable Economy promotes collaboration amongst trade, development and human rights professionals, to ensure that trade rules are developed and applied in ways that promote an equitable economy. Our objectives are : > To promote collaborative efforts between people working to promote an equitable economy, > To strengthen the capacity of human rights advocates to raise their concerns with trade decision-makers, > To encourage the use of human rights mechanisms and rules in support of efforts to promote an equitable economy, > To ensure accountability of all economic actors. 3D -> Trade - Human Rights - Equitable Economy Maison des Associations - Rue des Savoises Genève - Switzerland T F