The Potential of Human Rights Budgeting for Inclusive Cities

Sarah Hertwig [Project Officer, UNESCO Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at the Local and Regional Level]

Human rights are the foundation of society and its pursuit to guarantee a decent life for all. These fundamental rights are laid down in international treaties or documents, and are secured by the overarching responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfillhuman rights. While States are the signatories of legally binding agreements on the international level, there is growing consensus that every government level is obliged to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights and their underlying principles in their respective area of competency.

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Importantly, a unified, universally applicable framework would significantly strengthen individual HRB initiatives, allowing cities to meet their international obligations. Human Rights Cities are critical in this regard. Finally, the Gwangju Guiding Principles for Human Rights Cities (2011) highlight the promising significance of HRB, making it all the more compelling in light of the current World Human Rights Cities Forum 2023.