The following publciations can be downloaded from our University's
Research Repository:
International assistance and cooperation in sexual and reproductive
health: a human rights responsibility for donors
Judith Bueno de Mesquita and Paul Hunt
States' obligations under some international treaties extend beyond
their national borders to international assistance and cooperation for
human rights, including the rights to sexual and reproductive health, in
other countries. This publication focuses on what is expected of donors
in the context of this responsibility. It shows how many donors are
taking important steps towards fulfilling this duty through measures
they are taking to integrate the rights to sexual and reproductive
health into their policies and programmes, but also argues that many
donors can also do more. The publication concludes with a set of
recommendations addressed to donors and their developing country partner
governments.
Human rights guidelines for pharmaceutical companies in relation to
access to medicines: the sexual and reproductive health context
Rajat Khosla and Paul Hunt
When Paul Hunt was UN Special Rapporteur (2002-2008), a recurrent
theme in his work was access to medicines. For the most part, he - and
colleagues in the Right to Health Unit - looked at the duties of States
in relation to access to medicines e.g. his report to the UN General
Assembly A/61/338, dated 13 September 2006. However, States reported
that when endeavouring to enhance access to medicines the policies and
practices of some pharmaceutical companies were a very considerable
obstacle. Thus, he was urged to prepare access-to-medicines guidelines
for pharmaceutical companies. After extensive research and wide-ranging
consultations over some years, Paul Hunt and Rajat Khosla wrote 'Human
Rights Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies in relation to Access to
Medicines'. These Guidelines were published by the UN General Assembly
in A/63/263, dated 11 August 2008. The present publication briefly
discusses medicines and sexual and reproductive health, in particular
medicines, HIV/AIDS and the human papillomavirus (HPV) - HPV being
responsible for over 99% of cervical cancers. In this context, the
publication then introduces, and reproduces, the 'Human Rights
Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies in relation to Access to
Medicines' that were published by the General Assembly in 2008.
Participation and the right to the highest attainable standard of health
Helen Potts
Active and informed participation is an integral component of health
systems, as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of
health. Despite its critical importance, health and human rights have
not given participation the attention it deserves. While some health
researchers have made more headway than those working in human rights,
neither community has a widely accepted understanding of what the
process of participation means in practice. The monograph is an
accessible, practical, timely and original introduction to the process
of participation; the need for a variety of participatory mechanisms;
the relationship between fairness and transparency of the process; the
relationship between participation and accountability and participation
in accountability. The publication of the monograph was supported by the
Ford Foundation.
Conscientious objection: protecting sexual and reproductive health
rights
Judith Bueno de Mesquita and Louise Finer
Healthcare providers' conscientious objection to involvement in
certain procedures is grounded in the right to freedom of religion,
conscience and thought. However, such conscientious objection can have
serious implications for the human rights of healthcare users, including
their sexual and reproductive health rights. This briefing paper
examines the implications of conscientious objection, by healthcare
providers, for the protection of sexual and reproductive health rights,
and concludes with a set of recommendations for States' policies and
laws.
Health systems and the right to the highest attainable standard of
health
Paul Hunt and Gunilla Backman
Today, there is growing recognition that a strong health system is an
essential element of a healthy and equitable society. However, health
systems in many countries are failing and collapsing. It is vital to find
ways of strengthening health systems. This briefing looks at health systems
from the perspective of the right to the highest attainable standard of
health. It outlines how this fundamental human right underpins and
reinforces an effective, integrated, accessible health system - and why this
is important. In other words, the briefing signals a right-to-health
approach to health systems strengthening.
Accountability and the right to the highest attainable standard of
health
Helen Potts
Accountability is a central feature of human rights. Despite its critical
role, little work has been done to explore its meaning and content. Even
less work has been done in the context of the right to health. As a result,
accountability is cloaked in misunderstandings. The monograph is an
accessible, practical and timely study, addressing these misunderstandings
by clarifying the process of accountability; the relationship between
monitoring, mechanisms and redress; and the pre-conditions for effective
accountability. The publication of the monograph was supported by OSI's
Public Health Program and Law and Health Initiative.
The rights to sexual and reproductive health
Paul Hunt and Judith Bueno de Mesquita
Sexual and reproductive health are among the most sensitive and
controversial issues in international human rights law, but they are also
among the most important. This publication examines the outcomes of the
International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994
and the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing held in Beijing in
1995 that can be applied alongside international human rights law standards
in the context of sexual and reproductive health rights.
Reducing maternal mortality: the contribution of the right to the
highest attainable standard of health
Paul Hunt and Judith Bueno de Mesquita
Over half a million women die each year due to complications during
pregnancy and birth. The vast majority of these deaths are preventable.
Despite longstanding international commitments to reducing maternal
mortality, progress to date has been disappointing. This publication
introduces the contribution of the right to the highest attainable standard
of health to reducing maternal mortality.
Neglected diseases: a human rights analysis
Paul Hunt, Rebecca Steward, Judith Bueno de Mesquita and Lisa Oldring
This report was was published in the series Special topics in
social economic and behavioural research in 2007. The research was
funded by the WHO-World Bank-UNDP Special Programme for Research and
Training in Tropical Diseases.
Our right to the highest attainable standard of health
Adriaan van Es and Paul Hunt
This briefing aims to provide a short, concise and accessible
introduction to the right to the highest attainable standard of health
and is available in English, French and Spanish versions. This project
was a joint initiative of the Human Rights Centre and the International
Federation for Health and Human Rights Organisations (IFHHRO).
