Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR). 2008. "Indicators for Promoting and Monitoring the Implementation of Human Rights".
- Objective: To adopt a structured and consistent approach for translating universal human rights standards into indicators that are contextually relevant and useful at the country level.
- Key characteristics: Identifies indicators for human rights, in relation to obligations (respect, protect and fulfill), and categorizes indicators into "structure, process, outcome". Designed for stakeholders who contribute to the monitoring process as information providers, as independent interpreters of the information or as end users of the information for advocacy purposes (ie, national human rights institutions or NGOs).
- Brief summary: Sets out framework for users to be able to choose the type and level of indicators for their requirements. The paper then lays out the conceptual and methodological framework, with the basis firmly in universal human rights standards and principles. It lists some conceptual concerns and identifies attributes of the rights that are necessary as a starting point. There are, on average, four attributes per right. The paper then moves into discussing how to measure human rights commitments, efforts and results by introducing the structure, process, outcome framework, along with respect, protect, fulfill. It moves from this framework into explaining how to deal with indicators that capture cross-cutting human rights norms, such as participation, non-discrimination, accountability and empowerment.
The next section focuses on methodological concerns, citing issues to do with sources and data generating mechanisms, and the criteria for selecting quantitative indicators. The last part of the conceptual and methodological section closes by explaining the contextual relevance of indicators. The next section of the paper discusses the relevance and selection of structural, process and outcome indicators.
The annexes include comprehensive lists of illustrative indicators, laid out in tables according to the relevant right, and divided by the various identified attributes and the structure, process, outcome framework. The second annex provides samples of meta-data sheets on the identified indicators, including the definition, rationale, method of computation, data collection and source, periodicity, disaggregation, and comments and limitations. - Best used for: Choosing indicators to measure human rights non-fulfillment, violations.
- Data needed: Statistical indicators, including socio-economic and administrative data, as well as event-based data.
- Possible disadvantages: Quantitative indicators are not all included in current statistical data sets, therefore need for advocacy to promote human rights indicators.
- Going forward: How to ensure that rights-based monitoring is country-owned and implemented, while ensuring the necessary decentralization and inclusion process so that indicators can be used properly?
- Complementary tools: Useful to see Riedel for further depth on indicator debate. Can be combined with other methodologies that show how to use indicators to make a human rights case of rights denial (e.g Felner, Anderson)