The Millennium Declaration, Rights, and Constitutions

This work examines the achievement of different countries in providing socio-economic rights through their constitutional frameworks so as to meet the millennium development goals. It argues how constitutions can either support rights or obstruct the achievement of rights related to education, food, water, housing, health, sanitation, work, sustainable development, etc. Emphasizing the need to pursue millennium development goals far beyond 2015, it explains that a constitution must provide institutions and procedures to translate constitutional ideals into reality. It highlights the critical decisions that need to be made in the drafting of Bill of Rights, and explains options that are likely to extend the scope of rights to make them effective in practice. It makes a comparative study of the rights provided in various constitutions and also studies them in reference to women, minorities, and indigenous people. It further stresses upon the need for independent institutions to deal with complaints against the state for maladministration and unfair discrimination along with action by civil society to realize the millennium development goals.

Yash Ghai, Head, Constitution Advisory Support Unit, UNDP
Jill Cottrell, Former Consultant, UNDP, Nepal