MANY TO MANY 65 RIGHT TO FOOD

THE RIGHT TO FOOD

At its 17th session, held in Geneva from 17 November to 5 December 1997, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights discussed the difference it would make to define 'adequate food' as a right rather than as a need.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, said that the right to food has remained a 'hidden right'. Millions of people are still denied this right, she maintained, although "its fulfillment is a prerequisite for human dignity and sustainable development".

It was stressed that governments who recognise the right of food, should not necessarily be seen as the 'direct providers' in all situations. Four levels of state obligations were however outlined:

* respect the freedom of individuals to meet their food requirements;

* protect individuals against actions such as pollution of land and water resources that may undermine their ability to take care of their own needs;

* assist/facilitate individuals and associations in organising their food provision; and

* provide adequate food to individuals when all other avenues have failed.

The committee also discussed a draft Code of Conduct on the Right to Adequate Food. Several committee members said that the implementation of the right to food would to a large degree depend on the mobilisation of civil society organisations and also the degree to which non-governmental organisations, particularly involved within this field, would in the future advocate adequate food as a RIGHT rather than as a need.

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland, fax: +41-22/917 0212.

"In the implementation of my functions as High Commissioner for Human Rights I would like to reiterate that I do intend to give equal emphasis to economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, and to civil and political rights... In this connection, I believe that it would be farsighted for the international community to also seriously consider offering the same level of protection to individuals in economic, social and cultural rights as that afforded in the political and civil sectors. This may prepare us to better manage the challenges that we will face in the economic and social field in the next century."

--Mary Robinson

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