This section outlines the approach and direction of the guide and provides the background information on the Steps for Change in Sectreion 2. The connection between health, human rights and [simple_tooltip content=’All those developing, managing, delivering, monitoring and evaluating preventive, curative and rehabilitative health in the private and public health sectors, including traditional healers. ‘]health workers[/simple_tooltip] is explained to clarify how this interrelation can be used for action. A list of additional resources with more information on human rights can be found at the end of the guide.
The following four questions are addressed in this section:
- What are human rights?
- How are human rights related to health?
- How can human rights be influenced by health workers?
- How can human rights be used for better healthcare?
1. What are human rights?
Human rights are freedoms and entitlements that belong to every human being irrespective of origin, status or beliefs. They represent those values that are fundamental to basic human dignity, development and survival. Respect for human rights protects individuals and groups from injustice and prevents abuse of power.
Human rights are legally protected by international and regional treaties and national laws. These legal documents impose obligations on governments to [simple_tooltip content=’Government’s obligations related to human rights. Respect: government must refrain from violating human rights. Protect: government must prevent others from violating human rights. Fulfil: government has to take measures necessary for the realisation of human rights.’]respect, protect and fulfil[/simple_tooltip] the rights of individuals. This means human rights act as claims on the government.
Human rights are supported by [simple_tooltip content=’Committee, commission, court, institution or other procedure which monitors whether and to what extent a government complies with its human rights obligations.’]accountability mechanisms[/simple_tooltip] which assess how governments carry out their human rights obligations. These courts, committees and other procedures require governments to show, explain and justify what is being done to realize human rights. Accountability mechanisms include [simple_tooltip content=’An institution with a constitutional and/or legislative mandate to protect and promote human rights. National Human Rights Institutes are independent, autonomous institutions that operate at the national level. ‘]national human rights institutes[/simple_tooltip], [simple_tooltip content=’Supra-national court where individuals can file complaints about government violations of the corresponding human rights treaty. The rulings of the court are legally binding. There exist three regional human rights courts: the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.’]regional human rights courts[/simple_tooltip], [simple_tooltip content=’Committee of independent experts which examines government reports to assess compliance with the corresponding international human rights treaty. Several committees also accept individual complaints of human rights violations.’]United Nations Treaty Bodies[/simple_tooltip] and [simple_tooltip content=’An individual appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate, monitor, advise and report on human rights concerns.’]UN Special Rapporteurs[/simple_tooltip].
2. How are human rights related to health?
The interrelation between health and human rights has three dimensions:
- Human rights within the healthcare system
- Human rights that influence health
- Human rights violations that cause health problems
How do these three dimensions have an impact on the daily practice of a health worker?
- Within the [simple_tooltip content=’All institutions, organisations, facilities, services and individuals providing care to promote, restore or maintain health.’]healthcare system[/simple_tooltip], policies, practices and situations can affect human rights such as the right to health, the right to privacy or the right to information.
- Human rights such as the right to adequate food and nutrition, the right to clean water and the right to education influence whether people get ill, what type of health problems they may suffer and if they will find their way to a health facility.
- Persons with health problems caused by human rights violations such as torture or violence against women may end up at healthcare institutions and require professional care.
Although each dimension is equally relevant, the main focus of this guide is on the first dimension.
Diagram inspired by: 25 Questions and Answers on Health and Human Rights, WHO, 2002, page 8 (‘Examples of the links between health and human rights’)
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