UN experts urge more action on inequalities that threaten peace and security, development, and human rights
GENEVA (4 December 2018) – UN human rights experts* have issued an urgent call to intensify efforts to combat economic
inequality and discrimination. In a statement marking the 32nd anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to
Development on 4 December, the experts stress the critical need to promote societies that are less unequal and to
improve equality of opportunity and outcome within and between countries:
“Inequality and discrimination are some of the defining challenges confronting the world today. They not only pose an
obstacle to the realisation of the right to development, but also remain among the major threats to peace, security, and
human rights worldwide. As such, they count among the strongest drivers for migration.
More than 30 years ago, the Declaration on the Right to Development recognised that inequality was inherently
undermining human rights. Calling for more equitable development at the international and national levels, the
Declaration highlights the importance of ensuring the fair distribution of the benefits of development and the equality
of opportunity for all in their access to, inter alia, education, health services, food and housing. However, this
remains an aspirational statement for a large part of the world’s population.
Today, we live in a world that is wealthier but also more unequal than ever before. Social and economic rights are being
denied for too many people across the world, including the 800 million still living in extreme poverty. Income
inequality is on the rise, with the richest 10 percent of the world population earning up to 40 percent of total global
income. Some reports suggest that 82 percent of all wealth created in 2017 went to the top 1 percent, while the bottom
50 percent saw no increase at all.
Wide gaps between women and men’s economic empowerment and opportunity also remain pervasive across the globe. The
inequalities women face in many area of their lives infringe upon their rights to participate in, contribute to, and
enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development.
Demands for development justice around the world have remained unanswered. Inequality in income, pay and wealth is
plaguing developed and developing countries alike. According to OECD figures, income inequality in OECD countries is at
its highest level for 50 years. The average income of the richest 10 percent of the population is about 9.5 times higher
than that of the poorest 10 percent. Wealth inequality is even more pronounced, with the top 10 percent holding half of
total wealth, while the bottom 40 percent holds only 3 percent. These disparities are even starker in developing
countries and emerging economies.
Systemic inequalities embedded in the global economic architecture combined with structural discrimination – on the
basis of sex, gender, age, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, and legal, economic or other status – mean that many
individuals, minorities and groups remain marginalised and entirely excluded from development. This not only undermines
human dignity but also the rule of law and the realisation of all civil, political, economic, social and cultural
rights.
In addition, inequalities in our global governance system mean that countries facing the greatest difficulties in
implementing the right to development – especially the least developed countries, displacement-affected countries,
landlocked developing countries and small-island developing States – are left behind and unable to enjoy the benefits of
development on a fair and equitable basis.
Even worse, some are being pushed further behind due to the disproportionate impact of adverse global trends such as
climate change, environmental degradation, natural hazards or imposed austerity policies resulting from financial and
economic crisis.
Overcoming inequality and combatting discrimination are not only a necessity, they are in fact legally binding
obligations. Equality and non-discrimination are fundamental guarantees at the core of international human right law.
States must respect their duties and combat the various forms of discrimination and inequalities in order to ensure a
future that is based on just, inclusive and equitable development.
Next year, States will report to the High-level Political Forum on ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and
equality’. We urge all stakeholders to seize this opportunity to promote the right to development, economic and social
rights, and to strengthen advocacy for more equal societies.”
ENDS