V. >> F ramework in Practice - Implementing and Monitoring Rights
>> Interpreting statistical information from a human rights perspective
significantly contribute to promoting and monitoring
human rights implementation.
Using socioeconomic statistics in human rights
typically involves first seeking to disaggregate the
available information, from national averages to
data for the smallest group of individuals who are
bound by common human rights characteristics
and on to information at the level of an individual.
However, such data collection, compilation and disaggregation are not always feasible. Indeed, that
is where the framework of indicators presented in
this Guide becomes useful for identifying the critical
information which may be necessary for undertaking
an adequate human rights assessment. Incidentally,
the absence of information on relevant indicators
can, in itself, be an indicator of a lack of willingness
Fig. XVI
and commitment on the part of the duty bearers to
implement human rights. For example, this could be
the case when there is no information on a structural
indicator like the time frame and coverage of a
policy or action plan for the elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women (see
chap. IV, table on violence against women), and
when process indicators like the proportion of staff
formally investigated for physical and non-physical
abuse or crime on detained or imprisoned persons (including torture and disproportionate use of
force) and the proportion of these investigations
resulting in disciplinary action or prosecution
(see chap. IV, table on the right not to be subjected to
torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment) are not compiled or disseminated.
Three perspectives for human rights assessments
Time horizon
Average
perspective
Deprivation
perspective
Inequality
perspective
One period
What is the national
average?
Who are the most
deprived by:
• Sex
• Income quintile
• Region
• Ethnic group
• Education, etc.
What is the disparity
between:
• Women and men
• Bottom and top
income quintiles
• Worst-off and
best-off regions
• Worst-off and bestoff ethnic groups
• Local and migrant
population
Two or more
periods
How has the national
average changed?
How have the most
deprived population
groups progressed?
How have disparities
among population
groups changed
– widened or
narrowed?
Source: Adapted from UNDP, Human Development Report 2000.
Human Rights Indicators
127
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