Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string?

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? http://t.co/f8lYgIty by @odi_development’s Marta Foresti

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? http://t.co/f8lYgIty by @odi_development’s Marta Foresti

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? – http://t.co/CUHMUv30 via @odi_development @leftfootfwd

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? – http://t.co/CUHMUv30 via @odi_development @leftfootfwd

Yes, determining the length of piece of string in general terms doesn’t make sense. But, if we refuse to say how long a piece of string can get before it’s too long for a particular case, then we will give aid sceptics plenty of rope to hang those of us who think that aid – provided in ways that are appropriate for particular contexts, and that help to nurture transparent and accountable governance – can play a role in promoting development.

“Political” conditionalities might not work, but perhaps some process-related conditionalities are necessary/desirable? How about requiring that governments are making progress in terms of budget transparency in order to be eligible for aid? Personally, I’d be supportive of that.

Alan Hudson

Yes, determining the length of piece of string in general terms doesn’t make sense. But, if we refuse to say how long a piece of string can get before it’s too long for a particular case, then we will give aid sceptics plenty of rope to hang those of us who think that aid – provided in ways that are appropriate for particular contexts, and that help to nurture transparent and accountable governance – can play a role in promoting development.

“Political” conditionalities might not work, but perhaps some process-related conditionalities are necessary/desirable? How about requiring that governments are making progress in terms of budget transparency in order to be eligible for aid? Personally, I’d be supportive of that.

Alan Hudson

Yes, determining the length of piece of string in general terms doesn’t make sense. But, if we refuse to say how long a piece of string can get before it’s too long for a particular case, then we will give aid sceptics plenty of rope to hang those of us who think that aid – provided in ways that are appropriate for particular contexts, and that help to nurture transparent and accountable governance – can play a role in promoting development.

“Political” conditionalities might not work, but perhaps some process-related conditionalities are necessary/desirable? How about requiring that governments are making progress in terms of budget transparency in order to be eligible for aid? Personally, I’d be supportive of that.

Alan Hudson

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? – http://t.co/CUHMUv30 via @odi_development @leftfootfwd

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? – http://t.co/CUHMUv30 via @odi_development @leftfootfwd

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? – http://t.co/CUHMUv30 via @odi_development @leftfootfwd

ECDPM: Human rights as conditions for aid. How long is a piece of string? Marta Foresti of ODI on Left Foot Forw… http://t.co/PoUpWOxx

#Human rights as conditions for #aid. How long is a piece of string? Marta Foresti of ODI on… http://t.co/cCNzoL0m

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string?
http://t.co/hdKBzR9e

UK taxpayers’ money should not end up propping up repressive regimes that violate human rights. I fully agree with Marta’s three warnings why this dictum should not result in knee-jerk conditionalities to aid. She is right in proposing to look carefully at each country context, and to consider combinations of different sources of international pressure to promote political freedoms and human rights, not just aid. In fact, the UK taxpayer’s “buck” can even have more bang when the UK government uses its influence, knowledge, and resources cleverly within the European Union. This is the level where the policy domains of aid, diplomacy, trade and security can be leveraged even more effectively and coherently.
Jan Vanheukelom, ECDPM

#ODI: Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string?
(Articles and blogs, 5 January 2012) http://t.co/Thy3KIYG

Very good article which illustrates the complex nature of aid. For one thing conditionality hits hardest the communiites we are trying to help rather than the regimes on whom we wish to bring pressure to bare. Secondly, government provision and support for aid is not just about the beneficiaries. It is, to what whatever degree, also about the electability of politicians. Do we think the Foreign Secretary has made a historic visit to Burma to have a huge impact on human rights and economic sanctions. No, he has gone in order to be photographed with nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, an iconic activist about whom a movie is about to be released. I will re post your article at my blog, lifeincharity.blogspot.org

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string?
(Articles and blogs, 5 January 2012) http://t.co/GZnihmlM

'Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string?' ODI's Marta Foresti's explores on @leftfootfwd http://t.co/hZM1gAT3

#Humanrights as conditions for #aid: how long is a piece of string? http://t.co/oqokxlZO via @leftfootfwd #development

Conditionality of aid.Tough question :http://t.co/2NOGsAys @wanjirukr ,http://t.co/yFppDmbn

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? by marta Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/39SMR61E

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? by marta Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/39SMR61E

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? by marta Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/39SMR61E

Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? by marta Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/39SMR61E

RT @viewfromthecave: Human rights as condition for aid: how long is a piece of string? Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/wO5Z5SDG

RT @viewfromthecave: Human rights as condition for aid: how long is a piece of string? Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/wO5Z5SDG

RT @viewfromthecave: Human rights as condition for aid: how long is a piece of string? Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/pdVbEvIC

RT @viewfromthecave: Human rights as condition for aid: how long is a piece of string? Foresti of @odi_development http://t.co/FES2OLBZ

Burma Democratisation Strategy 2012

Burma must work without wavering to restore democracy, human rights, and rule of law. Burma must establish the independent judiciary system so as to put a full stop on corruption, abuse of power, anyone staying above the law and anyone buying justice in Burma. We have to work our utmost to establish independent and impartial judiciary system in Burma.

Burma must make sure to never allow manipulating laws which criminalize freedom of thought, expression, association, assembly and movement. Burma must ensure amending laws which legitimize arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, inhumane interrogation, torture, arresting without warrant, charge or trial.

Burma must work to achieve the ever lasting peace, unity in harmony and equality in diversity in Burma. Equally important is to review the controversial 2008 constitution which gives absolute power to military commander in chief which is still major concern for people of Burma.

Burma must prioritise alleviating poverty, unemployment, inflation, illiteracy and major diseases. At the same time, Burma must work hard to end the economics monopoly and cronyism in Burma.

Burma needs financial and technological assistance from international community so as to address the immediate needs of the people and in the process of rebuilding Burma.

Flourishing Civil Society Organisations are one of the main concrete pillars protecting and strengthening a democratic system in the nation. Burma must work her utmost to flourish Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Burma. Emergences of the new institutions are an important part of the democratisation process of Burma.

Burmese citizens must be able to practice three fundamental democratic rights i.e. freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Strengthening these three main principals are the essential parts of the democratisation process of Burma. Burma must work promoting freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression in Burma.

Burma must work at the same time thriving Student Unions, Labour Unions and Peasant Unions so that students, workers, peasants and farmers will have the platforms to voice their concerns, to protect their rights and to promote their welfares in Burma.

Independent media and right to access freedom of information are the indicators which show the degree of the democratic tolerant in any nations. Burma must work to flourish freedom of media, social media and freedom of internet and information technology in Burma.

Burma must empower every citizen with education which is the best investment for future of Burma while ensure supporting welfares of teachers, teaching carrier, teaching environment and education standard in Burma.

Burma must educate her citizens of their rights, responsibilities and necessity of taking responsibilities in order to lay the concrete democratic foundation for future generations of Burma bearing in mind that Burma has gone through nearly half the century of successive various dictatorships and military dictatorships together with armed conflicts.

Burma must educate our children with knowledge, technology and employable skills while ensures teaching humanitarian caring, humanity values and human development.

Burma must build the society of tolerance. To meet that end Burma must work to prosper the culture of dialogue, research, reasoning, question mark, freedom from fear, boosting self-confident and nurturing positive attitude in Burma.

Education starts at home and we truly believe that it is the essential part of the nation building process to educate families with parenting skills, child development and nurturing children.

Since Buddhist monasteries and Buddhist monks are essential vital part of the Burmese society and accordingly Burma must work to promote monastery education and support the welfare of the Buddhist monks.

Burma must work to ensure promoting religious freedom in Burma while Burma must have a commission which oversee the protection and promotion of (ethnics) minority rights i.e. maintaining heritage, religion, language, culture, food, writing, music and environment etc.

Burma must gradually modernize defence forces while educating them with values of professionalism and humanity.

Burma must work improving health and social care system which must be affordable and accessible to all the citizens.

Burma must improve agricultural system and must emphasise working on the development of villages, rural and border areas.

Urban population is expected to grow and Burma must work to embrace urbanization by expanding urban infrastructure, by creating jobs and improving bus and transportation services.

Responsible sustainable tourism is one of the most rewarding industries which can assist economic development in Burma. Burma must promote responsible sustainable tourism and at the same time Burma must encourage citizens to travel so as to promote understanding, knowledge and friendship between different societies residing at the different places.

Burma must gradually build industrialised economy that can generate nation’s revenues. The process of gradual economic reforms must be initiated right now. Economic growth is essential for the well being of our people. We must build the infrastructures needed to industrialize Burma.

Energy is an essential for development. Burma must work to ensure providing sufficient electricity and gas for all the citizens of Burma.

Burma must protect and work improving environment for our future generations. We must work to protect the waters, lakes, streams and rivers not to be polluted and not to be dried up while ensure protecting people from flooding and water erosion. Burma must anticipate controlling the quality of our air bearing in mind that the potential growth of urbanisation and industrialisation can increase air pollution.

Burma must protect forests, biodiversity and natural resources. Burma must work to gradually end excessive irresponsible logging, cutting forests and clearing land for agriculture. Burma must increase efforts to afforestation while Burma must work to gradually ban exporting teaks, logs, raw wood, cane, bamboo and endangered forest products in Burma.

Burma must alleviate corruption. The worst form of corruption is corruption of immigration control personnel. We must prioritise to secure our borders to deter and detect illegal immigrants’ intrusions into Burma since population affect us all.

Burma must ensure the fiscal stability and we must set up the feasible tax, banking and monetary policy in Burma. Burma must have the strategic national planning and budget distribution commission so as to effectively plan and distribute spending and future strategic national planning.

We also need gradual reforms in systems of government which would increase responsibility, accountability and transparency. This will be simultaneous and gradual evolutionary process and from time to time we must re-evaluate our reform process so as to have the best possible results to democratise Burma.

Burma must be working to decentralise her administration mechanisms and people must have the right to voice their concerns on every aspect of democratisation process.

These must be top Burma Democratisation agenda.

http://www.bdcburma.org

Burma Democratisation Strategy 2012

Burma must work without wavering to restore democracy, human rights, and rule of law. Burma must establish the independent judiciary system so as to put a full stop on corruption, abuse of power, anyone staying above the law and anyone buying justice in Burma. We have to work our utmost to establish independent and impartial judiciary system in Burma.

Burma must make sure to never allow manipulating laws which criminalize freedom of thought, expression, association, assembly and movement. Burma must ensure amending laws which legitimize arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, inhumane interrogation, torture, arresting without warrant, charge or trial.

Burma must work to achieve the ever lasting peace, unity in harmony and equality in diversity in Burma. Equally important is to review the controversial 2008 constitution which gives absolute power to military commander in chief which is still major concern for people of Burma.

Burma must prioritise alleviating poverty, unemployment, inflation, illiteracy and major diseases. At the same time, Burma must work hard to end the economics monopoly and cronyism in Burma.

Burma needs financial and technological assistance from international community so as to address the immediate needs of the people and in the process of rebuilding Burma.

Flourishing Civil Society Organisations are one of the main concrete pillars protecting and strengthening a democratic system in the nation. Burma must work her utmost to flourish Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Burma. Emergences of the new institutions are an important part of the democratisation process of Burma.

Burmese citizens must be able to practice three fundamental democratic rights i.e. freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Strengthening these three main principals are the essential parts of the democratisation process of Burma. Burma must work promoting freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression in Burma.

Burma must work at the same time thriving Student Unions, Labour Unions and Peasant Unions so that students, workers, peasants and farmers will have the platforms to voice their concerns, to protect their rights and to promote their welfares in Burma.

Independent media and right to access freedom of information are the indicators which show the degree of the democratic tolerant in any nations. Burma must work to flourish freedom of media, social media and freedom of internet and information technology in Burma.

Burma must empower every citizen with education which is the best investment for future of Burma while ensure supporting welfares of teachers, teaching carrier, teaching environment and education standard in Burma.

Burma must educate her citizens of their rights, responsibilities and necessity of taking responsibilities in order to lay the concrete democratic foundation for future generations of Burma bearing in mind that Burma has gone through nearly half the century of successive various dictatorships and military dictatorships together with armed conflicts.

Burma must educate our children with knowledge, technology and employable skills while ensures teaching humanitarian caring, humanity values and human development.

Burma must build the society of tolerance. To meet that end Burma must work to prosper the culture of dialogue, research, reasoning, question mark, freedom from fear, boosting self-confident and nurturing positive attitude in Burma.

Education starts at home and we truly believe that it is the essential part of the nation building process to educate families with parenting skills, child development and nurturing children.

Since Buddhist monasteries and Buddhist monks are essential vital part of the Burmese society and accordingly Burma must work to promote monastery education and support the welfare of the Buddhist monks.

Burma must work to ensure promoting religious freedom in Burma while Burma must have a commission which oversee the protection and promotion of (ethnics) minority rights i.e. maintaining heritage, religion, language, culture, food, writing, music and environment etc.

Burma must gradually modernize defence forces while educating them with values of professionalism and humanity.

Burma must work improving health and social care system which must be affordable and accessible to all the citizens.

Burma must improve agricultural system and must emphasise working on the development of villages, rural and border areas.

Urban population is expected to grow and Burma must work to embrace urbanization by expanding urban infrastructure, by creating jobs and improving bus and transportation services.

Responsible sustainable tourism is one of the most rewarding industries which can assist economic development in Burma. Burma must promote responsible sustainable tourism and at the same time Burma must encourage citizens to travel so as to promote understanding, knowledge and friendship between different societies residing at the different places.

Burma must gradually build industrialised economy that can generate nation’s revenues. The process of gradual economic reforms must be initiated right now. Economic growth is essential for the well being of our people. We must build the infrastructures needed to industrialize Burma.

Energy is an essential for development. Burma must work to ensure providing sufficient electricity and gas for all the citizens of Burma.

Burma must protect and work improving environment for our future generations. We must work to protect the waters, lakes, streams and rivers not to be polluted and not to be dried up while ensure protecting people from flooding and water erosion. Burma must anticipate controlling the quality of our air bearing in mind that the potential growth of urbanisation and industrialisation can increase air pollution.

Burma must protect forests, biodiversity and natural resources. Burma must work to gradually end excessive irresponsible logging, cutting forests and clearing land for agriculture. Burma must increase efforts to afforestation while Burma must work to gradually ban exporting teaks, logs, raw wood, cane, bamboo and endangered forest products in Burma.

Burma must alleviate corruption. The worst form of corruption is corruption of immigration control personnel. We must prioritise to secure our borders to deter and detect illegal immigrants’ intrusions into Burma since population affect us all.

Burma must ensure the fiscal stability and we must set up the feasible tax, banking and monetary policy in Burma. Burma must have the strategic national planning and budget distribution commission so as to effectively plan and distribute spending and future strategic national planning.

We also need gradual reforms in systems of government which would increase responsibility, accountability and transparency. This will be simultaneous and gradual evolutionary process and from time to time we must re-evaluate our reform process so as to have the best possible results to democratise Burma.

Burma must be working to decentralise her administration mechanisms and people must have the right to voice their concerns on every aspect of democratisation process.

These must be top Burma Democratisation agenda.

http://www.bdcburma.org

Burma Democratisation Strategy 2012

Burma must work without wavering to restore democracy, human rights, and rule of law. Burma must establish the independent judiciary system so as to put a full stop on corruption, abuse of power, anyone staying above the law and anyone buying justice in Burma. We have to work our utmost to establish independent and impartial judiciary system in Burma.

Burma must make sure to never allow manipulating laws which criminalize freedom of thought, expression, association, assembly and movement. Burma must ensure amending laws which legitimize arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, inhumane interrogation, torture, arresting without warrant, charge or trial.

Burma must work to achieve the ever lasting peace, unity in harmony and equality in diversity in Burma. Equally important is to review the controversial 2008 constitution which gives absolute power to military commander in chief which is still major concern for people of Burma.

Burma must prioritise alleviating poverty, unemployment, inflation, illiteracy and major diseases. At the same time, Burma must work hard to end the economics monopoly and cronyism in Burma.

Burma needs financial and technological assistance from international community so as to address the immediate needs of the people and in the process of rebuilding Burma.

Flourishing Civil Society Organisations are one of the main concrete pillars protecting and strengthening a democratic system in the nation. Burma must work her utmost to flourish Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Burma. Emergences of the new institutions are an important part of the democratisation process of Burma.

Burmese citizens must be able to practice three fundamental democratic rights i.e. freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Strengthening these three main principals are the essential parts of the democratisation process of Burma. Burma must work promoting freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression in Burma.

Burma must work at the same time thriving Student Unions, Labour Unions and Peasant Unions so that students, workers, peasants and farmers will have the platforms to voice their concerns, to protect their rights and to promote their welfares in Burma.

Independent media and right to access freedom of information are the indicators which show the degree of the democratic tolerant in any nations. Burma must work to flourish freedom of media, social media and freedom of internet and information technology in Burma.

Burma must empower every citizen with education which is the best investment for future of Burma while ensure supporting welfares of teachers, teaching carrier, teaching environment and education standard in Burma.

Burma must educate her citizens of their rights, responsibilities and necessity of taking responsibilities in order to lay the concrete democratic foundation for future generations of Burma bearing in mind that Burma has gone through nearly half the century of successive various dictatorships and military dictatorships together with armed conflicts.

Burma must educate our children with knowledge, technology and employable skills while ensures teaching humanitarian caring, humanity values and human development.

Burma must build the society of tolerance. To meet that end Burma must work to prosper the culture of dialogue, research, reasoning, question mark, freedom from fear, boosting self-confident and nurturing positive attitude in Burma.

Education starts at home and we truly believe that it is the essential part of the nation building process to educate families with parenting skills, child development and nurturing children.

Since Buddhist monasteries and Buddhist monks are essential vital part of the Burmese society and accordingly Burma must work to promote monastery education and support the welfare of the Buddhist monks.

Burma must work to ensure promoting religious freedom in Burma while Burma must have a commission which oversee the protection and promotion of (ethnics) minority rights i.e. maintaining heritage, religion, language, culture, food, writing, music and environment etc.

Burma must gradually modernize defence forces while educating them with values of professionalism and humanity.

Burma must work improving health and social care system which must be affordable and accessible to all the citizens.

Burma must improve agricultural system and must emphasise working on the development of villages, rural and border areas.

Urban population is expected to grow and Burma must work to embrace urbanization by expanding urban infrastructure, by creating jobs and improving bus and transportation services.

Responsible sustainable tourism is one of the most rewarding industries which can assist economic development in Burma. Burma must promote responsible sustainable tourism and at the same time Burma must encourage citizens to travel so as to promote understanding, knowledge and friendship between different societies residing at the different places.

Burma must gradually build industrialised economy that can generate nation’s revenues. The process of gradual economic reforms must be initiated right now. Economic growth is essential for the well being of our people. We must build the infrastructures needed to industrialize Burma.

Energy is an essential for development. Burma must work to ensure providing sufficient electricity and gas for all the citizens of Burma.

Burma must protect and work improving environment for our future generations. We must work to protect the waters, lakes, streams and rivers not to be polluted and not to be dried up while ensure protecting people from flooding and water erosion. Burma must anticipate controlling the quality of our air bearing in mind that the potential growth of urbanisation and industrialisation can increase air pollution.

Burma must protect forests, biodiversity and natural resources. Burma must work to gradually end excessive irresponsible logging, cutting forests and clearing land for agriculture. Burma must increase efforts to afforestation while Burma must work to gradually ban exporting teaks, logs, raw wood, cane, bamboo and endangered forest products in Burma.

Burma must alleviate corruption. The worst form of corruption is corruption of immigration control personnel. We must prioritise to secure our borders to deter and detect illegal immigrants’ intrusions into Burma since population affect us all.

Burma must ensure the fiscal stability and we must set up the feasible tax, banking and monetary policy in Burma. Burma must have the strategic national planning and budget distribution commission so as to effectively plan and distribute spending and future strategic national planning.

We also need gradual reforms in systems of government which would increase responsibility, accountability and transparency. This will be simultaneous and gradual evolutionary process and from time to time we must re-evaluate our reform process so as to have the best possible results to democratise Burma.

Burma must be working to decentralise her administration mechanisms and people must have the right to voice their concerns on every aspect of democratisation process.

These must be top Burma Democratisation agenda.

http://www.bdcburma.org

Challenging aid conditionality – http://t.co/10cnxY7l / @odi_development via @leftfootfwd

Now, for the sake of argument, and consistency… The EU (and the UK) is imposing conditions on Greece, Italy, Spain and more recently Hungary. No fiscal responsibility? No more aid, says the EU.

Why should Nigeria be treated any differently? Why should my own country, Peru, be allowed to do what it pleases and keep getting aid? (Peru does not get UK aid directly, by the way.)

I would say that no, we should not be treated any differently.

But then again, Colombia is paying a high price by not being able to sign a FTA with the EU -and so if Peru, by the way, whose FTA is linked to that of Colombia. Preferential access has the potential to crate new opportunities for poor Colombians and in the process gain economic and political rights.

So the answer is not clear.

But consistency would certainly help.

MT @odi_development: 'Human rights as conditions for aid?' Read ODI's Marta Foresti's reflections… http://t.co/fCh1o1rK #globaldev

RT @leftfootfwd: Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? http://t.co/6KCQG9eL

RT @leftfootfwd: Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? http://t.co/NOi2K7RC – interesting article / debate

“There is simply no way to enforce a one-size-fits-all mechanism that establishes minimum standards or thresholds for acceptable human rights performance.” That’s quite right, governments just pretend they believe in universal human rights and all the declarations, convenants and conventions they sign up to which crazily claim there ARE minimum standards and that some rule of law should prevail. In fact of course, “aid” is largely about business and political influence – in exactly the same way there is one law for the very rich and a very different one for the poor.

RT @leftfootfwd: Human rights as conditions for aid: how long is a piece of string? http://t.co/tTvvTCAU Interesting article on aid & HR

human rights as condition for aid? interesting post from @odi_development staffer: http://t.co/xxhzkNz7

human rights as condition for aid? interesting post from @odi_development staffer: http://t.co/xxhzkNz7

'Human rights as conditions for aid?' Read ODI's Marta Foresti's reflections on @leftfootfwd http://t.co/b4KJCJJK #globaldev

'Human rights as conditions for aid?' Read ODI's Marta Foresti's reflections on @leftfootfwd http://t.co/b4KJCJJK #globaldev