Critical Analysis of the Applicability of the Right to Development in the Ethiopian Context
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Right to Development, after a long time discourse is internationally recognized as a
universal and inalienable right and integral part of fundamental human rights. It is also
further elaborated in the context of all human rights both individual and collective
providing priority to fight against absolute poverty integrating environment in a
framework of sustainable development. Ethiopia has also guaranteed the principle of the
RTD in the FDRE Constitution.
States have the duty to formulate development polices for the realization of the RTD. In
this respect, the FDRE Constitution incorporated economic, social and environmental
objectives whereby laws and policies guided and implemented thereof. The Government
consecutively, formulated national development policies in light of addressing
sustainable development from the social, economic and environmental perspectives.
Thus, in this research, it has been tried to examine the applicability of the RTD in the
Ethiopian context. In order to critically analyze the implementation of the RTD and its
constitutive rights such as the right to improved living standards and the right to
sustainable development, different methods based on primary and secondary sources
have been applied. To this end, the essence, legal status and major implementation
constraints have been critically assessed. For this purpose, the constitutionally recognized
right of public participation is thoroughly discussed in line with development processes.
For the implementation of the RTD and its constitutive rights in Ethiopia, policy issues
are outlined but the challenge is lack of specific directives or instruments and absence of
effective evaluation and monitoring programs. All these problems are reflected in various
sectors. More importantly, absence of effective public participation in different
development activities is also identified. Therefore, if the government puts the social,
economic and environmental development programs in integrated manner into practice,
sustainable development can be ensured which, in turn, the principle of the RTD in
Ethiopia will be progressively realized.
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The Right to Development, after a long time discourse, is internationally recognized