Declaration on the Right to Development

Abstract

The Declaration on the Right to Development of 1986 (hereinafter “DRTD”) is an ambitious document of programmatic character containing a blend of principles informed by international human rights instruments, and an aspirational political statement. It introduced into the United Nations human rights agenda the right of every human being to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic, social, cultural and political development. The significance of the right to development lies in the fact that it embodies a comprehensive approach to the realisation of human rights by according attention to structures, processes and outcomes of development both at the national and international levels.