Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Mission to Guinea-Bissau

Abstract

The Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights conducted an official visit to Guinea-Bissau from 23 February to 1 March 2014. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur outlines the challenges that Guinea-Bissau is facing in implementing measures to address poverty and in ensuring the rights of those living in poverty.Guinea-Bissau ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world, with a consistent decline of investment in essential social services such as health care and education. The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned about the disproportionate vulnerability of certain groups, especially women, as well as obstacles to poverty reduction such as political instability, corruption and impunity.This Special Rapporteur provides recommendations to ensure that relevant policies and programmes are implemented to enable those living in extreme poverty to enjoy their human rights on an equal basis with the rest of the population.