Download or print a copy of the full Introductory Guide to HRIA (PDF file).
Advantages of HRIA
Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) is a relatively new field of work which has been based in part on existing concepts of impact assessment and other types of strategic planning concepts. The advantage of Human Rights Impact Assessment is that it is a technical analysis which gives elements not only to pint out the problems but also binds governments to action.
HRIAs equip users with solid, evidence-based arguments with specific reference to why and how human rights are being violated. Moreover, it empowers people to go beyond identifying problems, by enabling them to propose solutions and claim their rights (Kirkemann Boesen and Martin, 2007).
The evidence-based explanation of the gap between human rights and the reality of what actually occurs in everyday life provides the human rights community with ‘ammunition’ to hold their governments accountable. This can contribute to policy change. The use of HRIA tools also contributes to the promotion of human rights by facilitating comparisons between countries, by raising awareness about human rights standards and through capacity building on how a rights-based approach can work in practice (Bakker et al., 2009: 454).
More
More
A main benefit of HRIA is that it helps users to collect data in a structured way, making a clear link with international human rights standards, and to analyse the effects of a policy.
Performing a HRIA is a learning process. The benefits go beyond the direct outcomes of the study. The process of data collection, analysis and formulation of rights-based recommendations helps people to understand the relation between their daily work and human rights standards in a much more practical way than ordinary human rights training makes possible (Kirkemann Boesen and Martin, 2007).
It has theoretical relevance as a field of study that can enrich and supplement the dominant legal studies in the human rights field. HRIA also has practical relevance: an ex ante HRIA can be of assistance in avoiding unnecessary measures and costs; an ex post HRIA measures the actual impact of policies and provides practical improvements.
References
Kirkemann Boesen, J. and Martin, T. 2007. ‘Applying a Rights-Based Approach: an inspirational guide for civil society’. Danish Institute for Human Rights.
Bakker, S., Van den Berg, M., Düzenli, D. and Radstaake, M. 2009. ‘Human Rigths Impact Assessment in Practice: The Case of the Health Rights of Women Assessment Instrument (HeRWAI)’. Journal of Human Rights Practice 1(3): 436-458.