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ABSTRACT
The development discourse has shifted from an emphasis on economic prescriptions to one on social fundamentals. The more recent contributors to the development debate are those who view "development as a human right". The essential idea underlying their approach is that a human rights-approach to poverty reduction should be based explicitly on the norms and values set out in the International Declaration of Human Rights. The State is morally obligated to implement policies and programmes which adhere to international laws and standards. A decent standard of living, adequate nutrition, health care, education, decent work and protection against calamities are not only development goals but also human rights. The paper examines (1) to what extent Sir Arthur's work promoted a "nghts-based" approach to development, (2) using data from St. Lucia and Jamaica, to what extent those countries have attained the targets set by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and (3) the challenges and opportunities faced by these two countries as they implement a rights-based approach to development. These targets include access to adequate and affordable primary health care, the elimination of avoidable child mortality and the elimination of avoidable maternal mortality and the elimination of HIV/AIDS. The paper contributes to the deliberations on the synergies between economic and human development and the choices that need to be made in the pursuit of either or both. The paper concludes with some suggestions for consideration by policy makers.
This paper examines whether Sir Arthur Lewis's work was rightsbased and assesses to what extent St. Lucia and Jamaica have attained the targets set by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). In so doing, the challenges and, opportunities in the implementation of a rights-based approach to development in the two countries will be examined. This paper is the first to examine the "human rights agenda" element in Lewis's work and the first to assess the progress made by these two countries in the implementation of the "rights-based" approach. Jamaica and St. Lucia are both signatories to the various conventions and treaties but there are several challenges that face the two countries as their governments embrace the rights-based approach. The two countries were selected for their contending similarities and differences.
The Rights-based Approach to Development