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Mainstreaming Human Rights

Mainstreaming of Human Rights in the Commonwealth Secretariat

Promotion of human rights is one of the fundamental objectives of the Commonwealth Secretariat as an organisation. The Commonwealth Secretariat recognises that a human rights-based approach to development can help to meet the challenges of the Commonwealth in tackling poverty and inequality. Projects which incorporate a rights-based approach are more viable in sustainable development and the long-term promotion of human rights.

Mainstreaming human rights in the Secretariat entails the deliberate infusion of human rights principles into the activities and work of the Secretariat. The Human Rights Unit (HRU) assists in familiarising staff with international human rights standards and the Commonwealth mandate in human rights. This will create an awareness of the importance of integrating human rights in the day to day activities of the Secretariat and help staff to fully appreciate the importance of adopting the human rights based approach in designing and implementing developmental projects for member countries. The HRU also guides other Divisions to incorporate human rights principles and practices in the design and execution of development projects.