Research and Fact-Finding

Socio-economic conditions are often difficult to assess due to a lack of reliable data on the complex and multiple causes of poverty. Governments and other actors exacerbate this problem by justifying and obscuring the negative impacts of deliberate development policies. As a result, poverty is often perceived as a natural or inevitable phenomenon rather than historical aspect of power dynamics and economic inequality that results in human rights abuse.

Supporting rights claims under these circumstances requires rigorous scientific research to substantiate the facts underlying socio-economic problems. This challenge has led CESR to move beyond the legal fact-finding of traditional human rights work and adopt a strategy of multidisciplinary research in public health, economics, social and environmental sciences, and law. For this work, CESR relies on local experts familiar with the problems as well as prominent specialists. The research component is essential for establishing the credibility of subsequent advocacy and education efforts.

CESR’s fact-finding is tailored to the particular needs of each project. In situations where socio-economic data is lacking, CESR conducts primary research and analysis. We also rely on secondary research and analysis in situations where reliable data exists but is not being used to highlight human rights problems.

"By shifting the debate from one that seeks to balance conflicting economic strategies to one cast in the vocabulary of human rights, CESR is helping to establish a more proactive context that leads inexorably to political action and legal remedies."
-- Matthew Nimetz, former US Under-Secretary of State