Realizing rights means making individuals and institutions accountable for their actions and policies. But, Mr. Diabre said, it is time to move from the rhetoric of universal commitment for human rights to the reality of universal achievement. The report emphasizes Six Shifts needed to better secure the rights of all people. While the torture of one individual raises justifiable outrage, the deaths of more than 30,000 children a day from mainly preventable causes, go virtually unnoticed. Because these children are invisible in poverty.
Poverty is certainly a problem in very poor countries.
But the US as well struggles with deprivation of economic and social rights. Poverty reduction is an important means to secure civil and political human rights. Lack of political voice amongst the very poor makes rulers more likely to rule oppressively while catering to the interests of others more capable of benefiting them. Power is wielded increasingly by non-state actors, including multinational corporations, international financial institutions and powerful organizations such as the World Trade Organization. Corporate codes of conduct that call for higher institutional standards are being developed.