Who can use it?

A Human Rights Impact Assessment can be used to serve several purposes. Different actors can use a HRIA, for example NGO’s,  people who are affected by a policy, policy makers, academics, international organisations and the business community.

Non Governmental Organisations

Human Rights Impact Assessment can be carried out by NGOs. The findings can be used to advocate for policy reforms and to hold a state accountable for fulfilling its human rights commitments. It can help to inform a large group of people about a situation and to communicate concerns more effectively to the competent authorities. Also the outcomes of a HRIA can be used to lobby international institutions and UN agencies or as an input for compiling shadow reports on the various human rights conventions.

Affected People

Community based and grass roots organisations, as well as groups which themselves are affected by certain laws, policies, practices and measures can use a Human Rights Impact Assessment. It may be that another group or organisation which is not affected itself by the policy but works closely with groups or communities who are, carries out the HRIA. HRIA tools that are designed for use by groups that are underrepresented in decision-making processes have the additional value of empowering these groups.

Business Community

The motives companies may have for using HRIAs are manifold. Within the business community, there is growing recognition of the need to integrate human rights in corporate policies. A company has a responsibility to ensure respect for human rights within the workplace and towards the surrounding community. A number of tools have been developed to facilitate this. Examples of Human Rights and Business (HRIA) tools can be found at the Human Rights Compliance Centre for Businesses (link).

Governments / Policy Makers

Governments and policy makers can use HRIA to evaluate their strategy and to implement a rights-based approach. It also helps to assess the human rights impact of a policy, both now and in the future. A HRIA can be of assistance in avoiding unnecessary measures and costs. Furthermore, it measures the actual impact of policies and provides practical improvements.

Academics

Academics can use Human Rights Impact Assessment to conduct research about a human rights situation in a specific situation or regarding to a specific topic. It provides guidelines to make a direct link between a problem, policy, and relevant human rights issues.

International Organisations

International organisations can use HRIA to make comparisons between countries on how they each implement the same human rights obligations. This can help to lobby at international political meetings and committees. International organisations can also use HRIA to implement a rights based approach within the work of the own organisation or for the evaluation of their own strategy.