A Human Rights-Based Approach to Development - From Policy to Practice. A comparative Study between ActionAid and Sida

Abstract: A human-rights based approach (HRBA) to development is increasingly promoted by researchers and adopted by development actors. The approach integrates the fields of development and human rights by transforming development goals into obligations, but is criticized for being more rhetorical than brought to actual change on the ground. This study compares an international non-governmental organization's (INGO) and a state agency's use of the HRBA, by investigating the cases of ActionAid and Sida. Findings from interviews and documents show that both have put the HRBA into practice but strive to fully integrate it. The main difference in implementations are their relations with governments and the poor. ActionAid as an INGO work more with participation of the poor and assist them to claim their rights, whereas Sida as a state agency work in partnerships with governments and support them to meet their obligations. Both actors face problems with accountability, due to lack of legal mechanisms, inability of states to meet obligations or the need to maintain diplomatic relations. The thesis concludes by suggesting that human rights and development researchers and practitioners need to clarify roles of responsibilities and develop guidelines for accountability for a successful implementation of the HRBA.