Measuring Human Rights: Reflections on the Practice of Human Rights Impact Assessment and Lessons for the Future

Abstract

This paper critically evaluates the current practice and future potential of human rights impact assessment (HRIA) as a tool for measuring human rights. It comprehensively maps out existing practice regarding HRIAs in a wide variety of different fields including, health, business, trade, child rights and development. It emphasizes the potential of HRIAs for engaging in policy fields in which human rights have traditionally had significant barriers to meaningful engagement. But it also highlights some fundamental methodological issues which are undermining current practice. The paper argues that the increasing number of business and governmental actors undertaking assessments also creates the need for increased shared understanding of what constitutes a valid HRIA process. The paper therefore sets out eight core elements that should be included in an HRIA in any field and argues that adoption of these elements in all HRIAs would significantly enhance existing practice. But it is also argued that further research on key methodological issues, ongoing monitoring of practice, and effective differentiation between good and bad assessments is required. Only then will HRIAs become meaningful policy instruments for measuring human rights and enhancing their protection.