GI-ESCR's contribution to the Human Rights Council adopted at its 52nd Session  

GI-ESCR has actively participated in the discussions of the resolution on economic, social and cultural rights adopted at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council. Presented by Portugal and adopted today, this resolution focuses on measures to strengthen further the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights in all countries.  

Thanks to GI-ESCR’s engagement in suggesting language to the resolution, the text highlights the importance of building, financing and implementing public services as key tools for realising economic, social and cultural rights. First, the resolution acknowledges that the persistent inequalities and underinvestment in public services are major challenges for the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights. Second, it recognises the widespread disruption to public services led by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on women, who have disproportionately shouldered additional unpaid or underpaid care and domestic work to compensate the lack of essential services and school closure. Third, it highlights the importance of building, financing and implementing public services as key tools for the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights.  

As a result of GI-ESCR active participation in the process leading to its adoption, the resolution encourages international financial institutions to prioritise social spending and enhance States’ fiscal space while supporting States’ COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. Similarly, the text also urges States to design social protection systems that promote women’s economic security and consider women’s unequal share of unpaid or underpaid care and domestic work. Finally, GI-ESCR’s advocacy was also key to achieving the inclusion of a request to request the High Commissioner to convene, at its 55th session, a panel discussion on challenges and good practices to strengthen the right to social security and for building, financing and implementing public policies and quality public services for the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights.  

Finally, GI-ESCR has also played an active role in the negotiations of the resolution entitled “Promoting human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals through transparent, accountable and efficient public service delivery”, presented by Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Georgia, Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand, Türkiye and adopted today.