V. >> F ramework in Practice - Implementing and Monitoring Rights >> Using indicators for human rights There are at least two civil and political rights whose promotion and protection are important for making the national budgeting process more conducive to the realization of human rights. They are the right to information, guaranteed inter alia by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (art. 19) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (art. 19 (2)), and the right to participate in public affairs, also cited in the Universal Declaration (art. 21) and guaranteed by the Covenant (art. 25) (see box 10 in chap. III and tables in chap. IV). Likewise, the Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1986, stipulates that “States have the right and the duty to formulate appropriate national development policies that aim at the constant improvement of the well-being of the Box 35 entire population and of all individuals, on the basis of their active, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of the benefits resulting therefrom” (art. 2) and “States should encourage popular participation in all spheres as an important factor in development and in the full realization of all human rights” (art. 8). These standards are important to keep in mind in relation to budget processes whether national, regional or local. In practice, different types of participation and institutional arrangements will often have to be put in place, ranging from direct participation in budget decision-making processes (e.g., referendum on government expenditures exceeding a certain threshold) to passive participation (e.g., population is informed of what is going to happen or on the budget decisions taken). Role of civil society in human rights budgeting and development planning Raising public awareness of issues affecting marginalized population groups; Using indicators and other information to influence the policy framework and the budget allocations; Supporting budget-literacy initiatives among the members of the legislature and the general public; Promoting awareness of government performance; and Engaging institutions of governance to empower the marginalized through advocacy and capacity-building. 124 Human Rights Indicators