Globalization and Economic, Social and Cultural Human Rights

There is a lot of discussion about action on economic, social and cultural human rights on the agenda, especially with the economic downturn. The downturn is hitting the working poor, youth and women especially hard; all around the world.

It is well known that many of the debts which cripple developing countries were assumed by illegitimate leaders (ie, military dictators) or corrupt ones, but what is less clear is how to create a process for sorting out these loans and forgiving debts that are unfair.

One good proposal that has been floated is to create a legal framework (probably an arbitration system) with guidelines to forgive all debt that was assumed by illegitimate leaders or legislative bodies, and/or all debt which would stunt progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

Lincoln Ellis (NLG student member)