V. >> F ramework in Practice - Implementing and Monitoring Rights >> Setting up human rights monitoring systems Step 3 Identification of major vulnerable groups It would be desirable to assess in each country the major vulnerable and marginalized groups by population segment and by region. It is possible that different population segments could be identified as being vulnerable depending on different attributes of a human right. For instance, considering the right to food, in some cases children could be more vulnerable to a lack of food safety and consumer protection (e.g., existence of dangerous toxins in children’s food products), whereas indigenous peoples may be more likely to suffer from food availability and accessibility issues when they lose the possibility of Step 4 hunting, fishing or cultivating their ancestral lands. The process of identifying the vulnerable groups using appropriate criteria also has to be consistent with recommendations from international and national human rights mechanisms. It also has to be based on cross-cutting human rights norms of participation and transparency and, if required, allow for potential self-identification by individuals or groups (see chap. III, sect. A). This would yield the focus group for human rights monitoring and, at the same time, help in assessing the disaggregation requirement of the identified indicators. Focus on non-discrimination and accessibility To monitor human rights, special attention must be given to indicators that capture the extent to which the discrimination of individuals and population groups influences the level of realization of their human rights. Consequently, the notion of “accessibility” as against mere “availability” has a particular importance in the human rights monitoring framework.27 It is not sufficient, for instance, to ensure the availability of such commodities and services that correspond to the realization of human rights; it is equally important to ensure that they are accessible to all individuals in keeping with the human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality. Accordingly, it is important to identify relevant information on discrimination and tailor the data-generating mechanisms so that they collect, compile and present such information as appropriate indicators. 27. The notion of accessibility has dimensions such as physical, economic and non-discriminatory access that may have to be monitored. 136 Human Rights Indicators

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