A RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT: THE LINK BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between human rights and
development and the emergence of a Rights-Based Approach to
Development (RBAD). It will give a RBAD more consideration in order to
contribute to the conceptual direction of academic discourse, and
perhaps even the political direction by proposing solutions to Africa’s
socio-economic problems, especially in South Africa, which is facing
many developmental challenges. Human rights and development have
long been understood as separate terms that were incompatible.
Historically, development was only perceived for its role in promotion
of economic growth and prosperity of particular countries without any
consideration for human development and well-being. However, human
rights and development cannot be understood separately. Development
and human rights share the same goal, which is to promote the dignity
and worth of a human person by creating an environment where people
can achieve their full potential. Following the adoption of the UN
Charter in 1945, development became a key issue for the United Nations
and, for the first time, for the international community. Human
development is now central to the realisation of human rights. After
many years of debating development and human rights, it was agreed
that human rights standards and principles do indeed recognise the link
between human rights and development. In the 1990s, a RBAD emerged,
transforming the global development order and affirming this
relationship.