Economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) - like the right to health, the right to education and the right to work - deserve a much more prominent role in national and local government policy.
This is the key message that the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights wanted to convey to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) on October 10 in Geneva.
Many Dutch policy makers are hesitant to accept that economic, social and cultural rights are equally as important as civil and political rights. For the majority, "unknown, unloved" applies, and it is feared that judges will interfere with the legislative branch if they adjudicate matters concerning economic, social and cultural rights. Many also still think these rights are vague.
Expert knowledge
In its report, the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights shows where compliance with ESCR in the Netherlands, including the Dutch Caribbean, can be improved. Among the subjects that the Institute discusses in the report are discrimination of ethnic minorities, women and disabled persons in the workplace, access to healthcare and support for victims of domestic abuse in municipalities, shelters and specialized aid.
Deficiencies in compliance with ESCR affect vulnerable persons in particular. The rights protect the vulnerable and offer a good basis for policy making and balancing interests in concrete decisions. Taking ESCR seriously as human rights requires more expert knowledge in fields like labor, healthcare and education. This is the case for government officials on national and local levels, but also for employers, teachers and aid workers.