Extreme Poverty

Human Rights-Based Approach to Extreme Poverty

FI addresses extreme poverty through a human rights-based approach. Extreme Poverty is Slavery and must be addressed as a human right violation.

Living in Extreme Poverty is not a personal choice. Governments have the responsibility (direct and indirect) to prevent extreme poverty and to protect people living in extreme poverty.

Extreme Poverty includes other human rights violations, including the right to education, health, adequate housing, and discrimination.

Persons living in extreme poverty are more likely to be criminalised by the police and to be held for long periods in pre-trial detention. People living in extreme poverty are more vulnerable to fall victims of criminal networks. Poverty is the root cause of trafficking of persons, forced labour, street children, and child labour. 

Upholding Human Rights in Poverty Eradication

Governments and UN agencies should be urged to uphold human rights while implementing projects aimed at eradicating poverty. They are also responsible for private stakeholders and other countries to respect the peoples' rights. It is important that development projects (or megaprojects) are not made at the expenses of the poorest strata of society which can often imply forced labour, child labour, evictions and disrespect for the human rights of local populations. Poverty eradication policies must be closely scrutinised and accompanied by strong human rights policies.