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OVERVIEW


What is it?

Human rights apply universally to all people, regardless of their differences. Every human being is born free and equal in dignity and rights and should have the freedom to live a life of their choice, thrive socially and economically, and participate in public affairs. The Sustainable Development Goals are grounded in human rights, and the human rights-based approach (HRBA) supports their realisation.
HRBA is a method that applies five key working principles to advance human rights for all: meaningful and inclusive participation and access to decision-making; non-discrimination and equality; accountability and the rule of law for all; transparency and access to information, supported by disaggregated data.
By applying these principles, HRBA identifies states and their institutions as duty-bearers, those accountable for respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights. It also addresses individuals as rights-holders, empowering them to know, claim, and enjoy their rights.
The international human rights framework and its principles lie at the heart of the HRBA. It supports partner countries in meeting their human rights obligations and commitments, in accordance with the legally binding treaties and conventions they have ratified.
The HRBA aims to strengthen the capabilities of both duty-bearers and rights-holders towards the realisation of human rights. It also addresses key global challenges such as gender inequalities, climate change and environmental degradation, violations of children's rights, preserving peace and security, managing migration, and responding to crises such as pandemics.

What can it be used for?

The HRBA applies to all EU external actions, across all sectors and countries. By applying for the HRBA, interventions can achieve more relevant, equitable, and sustainable results.
The HRBA approach focuses on:

  • Objectives: All interventions, policies, and technical assistance should contribute to the realisation of human rights, including women's rights and labour rights. Irrespective of the sector, country, or stakeholders involved, the HRBA advances the respect, protection, and fulfilment of human rights for everyone—women and men, girls and boys, in all their diversity.
  • Processes: Rooted in human rights standards and the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the HRBA ensures that each phase of programming, design, and implementation of EU external actions upholds fundamental rights and freedoms. It is guided by five core principles: a) Applying all human rights for all; b) Ensuring meaningful and inclusive participation and access to decision-making; c) Promoting non-discrimination and equality; d) Upholding accountability and the rule of law for all; and e) Guaranteeing transparency and access to information, supported by disaggregated data.
  • Outcomes: The expected results should enhance the capacity of duty-bearers to fulfil their obligations, and/or empower rights-holders to understand, claim, and fully enjoy their rights.

When can it be used?

The HRBA places equal emphasis on both the processes through which interventions are programmed, designed, and implemented, and the objectives they seek to achieve. By reinforcing national ownership and fostering meaningful participation, the HRBA ensures that the purpose and outcomes of EU external actions are effectively addressed.
Interventions aim to reduce inequalities and tackle human rights violations by strengthening the capacities of both rights-holders and duty-bearers. Rights-holders are individuals who possess entitlements and legitimate claims to their human rights; they are not merely passive beneficiaries, but active participants in development processes. Duty-bearers—primarily governments and state institutions—carry the responsibility to respect, promote, protect, and fulfil these rights.

Who can use it?

The HRBA should be applied by staff working in EU external action. It could also be used by all practitioners in all sectors and thematic areas.

What are its strengths?

The HRBA is grounded in a comprehensive framework of internationally agreed laws, norms, standards, and principles, as enshrined in the core human rights treaties. It affirms the universality of human rights and reinforces the obligation of States to uphold the legally binding treaties they have ratified.
This approach fully aligns with the European Union's commitment to leave no one behind, reduce inequalities—including gender inequality—and combat all forms of discrimination. The HRBA equips stakeholders with the tools to address human rights violations and the complex, often overlapping forms of discrimination faced by individuals living and working in vulnerable conditions.
Focusing on power imbalances, sources of discrimination, and the structural drivers of inequality—particularly in their most severe manifestations—the HRBA is applicable across all sectors and thematic areas, targeting the root causes of exclusion and injustice.
Throughout the cooperation cycle, the HRBA promotes inclusive and meaningful participation, enabling a deeper understanding of transformative pathways for change, the identification of priorities, and collaborative work with all stakeholders to achieve sustainable solutions. It ensures that the voices of those in the most vulnerable situations—such as persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ individuals, indigenous peoples, and members of minority ethnic groups—are recognised and meaningfully engaged.
The HRBA also reinforces the capacity of states and duty-bearers to fulfil their human rights and gender equality commitments, while simultaneously enhancing the ability of rights-holders to understand, claim, and enjoy their rights.
Finally, the HRBA emphasises the critical importance of collecting and using disaggregated data—by sex, age, and disability—to effectively monitor and evaluate the commitments made throughout the intervention cycle.

What are its limitations?

The HRBA addresses political sensitive issues that in some countries are difficult to promote, for example the rights of LGBTIQ people. Cultures and societies differ in values and norms, especially regarding gender equality. This can generate tension and resistance, internally at organisational level, as well as at intervention level. To address these challenges, the HRBA stresses the importance of consultation and dialogue, throughout the entire intervention cycle to find feasible, consensual solutions to the problems identified together with the different stakeholders.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Key elements

1. Applying All Human Rights for All This principle recognises that human rights are binding state obligations. Interventions should consider the interdependence of rights—such as the link between the right to an adequate standard of living and access to work, health, and a healthy environment. Actions should be informed by human rights treaties, legislation, and data from relevant monitoring bodies at the international, regional, and national levels.
2. Meaningful and Inclusive Participation and Access to Decision-Making Participation transforms stakeholders from passive recipients into active rights-holders and duty-bearers. It empowers individuals—especially the most marginalised—to identify and address barriers to their rights. The principle calls for inclusive engagement across all groups, and strengthens civil society, parliaments, and representative bodies as key actors in decision-making.
3. Non-Discrimination and Equality Everyone is entitled to exercise their rights without discrimination. This principle involves identifying and addressing inequality in access, protection, and outcomes. It obliges states to adopt laws, policies, and budgets that promote equality, including gender equality. Particular attention is needed for persons at risk of exclusion, such as those with disabilities, in line with the EU's commitments under the CRPD.
4. Accountability and the Rule of Law for All Accountability ensures that state institutions uphold human rights and provide mechanisms for redress. It includes judicial and non-judicial means—such as courts, ombudspersons, audit bodies, and anti-corruption commissions. Civil society, the media, and private actors also contribute to transparent, rights-based governance.
5. Transparency and Access to Information Supported by Disaggregated Data Access to clear, reliable information strengthens accountability and supports inclusive participation. Collecting disaggregated data—by sex, age, and disability—is essential for monitoring progress. States must ensure accessible information formats and consultation spaces, especially for persons with disabilities, in accordance with CRPD obligations.

Requirements

It requires an analysis of human rights at stake in the country, of the capabilities of stakeholders, of the context and policy analysis. The HRBA requires applying the five working principles throughout the whole intervention cycle.

Data/information

No matter what sector or context, always begin by identifying the human rights at stake. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provides key information on the human rights and gender equality situation of all UN member states. This repository includes reports on the implementation of international human rights treaties. 

Facilities and materials

See HRBA Toolbox.

Tips and tricks


Focus Area

Tips & Tricks

Human Rights in the Overall Objective

Explicitly align your main objective with the promotion, protection, and fulfilment of human rights. Prioritise groups in vulnerable situations—especially women, children, persons with disabilities, and minorities.

Gender-Sensitive Objectives

Ensure at least one specific objective is gender-sensitive and meets the standards of GAP III and OECD G-Marker 1. Design outcomes that reduce gender gaps and support equity.

Use of Context Analysis

Base your activities on a thorough context analysis. Respond directly to identified needs, interests, and capacity gaps of both rights-holders and duty-bearers.

Inclusive Participation & Accountability

Go beyond consultation: ensure rights-holders meaningfully participate in all phases. Build mechanisms to increase transparency and accountability among duty-bearers.

Risk Mitigation with an HR and Gender Lens

Design risk mitigation measures that respect human rights and promote gender equality. Avoid inadvertently reinforcing exclusion or inequality.

Disaggregated and Inclusive Indicators

Always disaggregate indicators by sex, age, and disability—and by other relevant categories when possible.
Use indicators that highlight progress towards gender equality and equity.

Monitoring HRBA Principles

Track key Human Rights-Based Approach principles: Participation, Accountability, Non-discrimination, Empowerment, and Linkage to Rights. Use specific indicators to monitor these dimensions.

EU RESOURCES

OTHER RESOURCES


For further information, any revision or comment, please contact INTPA-ICM-GUIDE@ec.europa.eu 
Published by INTPA.D.4 - Quality and results, evaluation, knowledge management. Last update  May 2025