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Goal Target Instrument Article / Description

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

 16.7

Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

Indicators
16.7.1
Proportions of positions in national and local institutions, including (a) the legislatures; (b) the public service; and (c) the judiciary, compared to national distributions, by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups
16.7.2
Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive, by sex, age, disability and population group
 UNDHRD
Declaration on Human Rights Defenders
2.1
Each State has a prime responsibility and duty to protect, promote and implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms, inter alia, by adopting such steps as may be necessary to create all conditions necessary in the social, economic, political and other fields, as well as the legal guarantees required to ensure that all persons under its jurisdiction, individually and in association with others, are able to enjoy all those rights and freedoms in practice
2.1 Each State has a prime responsibility and duty to protect, promote and implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms, inter alia, by adopting such steps as may be necessary to create all conditions necessary in the social, economic, political and other fields, as well as the legal guarantees required to ensure that all persons under its jurisdiction, individually and in association with others, are able to enjoy all those rights and freedoms in practice
2.2
Each State shall adopt such legislative, administrative and other steps as may be necessary to ensure that the rights and freedoms referred to in the present Declaration are effectively guaranteed
8.1
Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to have effective access, on a non-discriminatory basis, to participation in the government of his or her country and in the conduct of public affairs
8.1 Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to have effective access, on a non-discriminatory basis, to participation in the government of his or her country and in the conduct of public affairs
8.2
This includes, inter alia, the right, individually and in association with others, to submit to governmental bodies and agencies and organizations concerned with public affairs criticism and proposals for improving their functioning and to draw attention to any aspect of their work that may hinder or impede the promotion, protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms
9.1 In the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the promotion and protection of human rights as referred to in the present Declaration, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to benefit from an effective remedy and to be protected in the event of the violation of those rights
9.4
To the same end, and in accordance with applicable international instruments and procedures, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to unhindered access to and communication with international bodies with general or special competence to receive and consider communications on matters of human rights and fundamental freedoms
18.2
Individuals, groups, institutions and non-governmental organizations have an important role to play and a responsibility in safeguarding democracy, promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms and contributing to the promotion and advancement of democratic societies, institutions and processes
UDHR
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
21.1
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
ICCPR
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
25 Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:
25.a
To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;
25 Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:
25.b
To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors;
25 Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:
25.c
To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.
ICERD
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
5 In compliance with the fundamental obligations laid down in article 2 of this Convention, States Parties undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law, notably in the enjoyment of the following rights:
5.c
Political rights, in particular the right to participate in elections-to vote and to stand for election-on the basis of universal and equal suffrage, to take part in the Government as well as in the conduct of public affairs at any level and to have equal access to public service;
CRC
Convention on the Rights of the Child
12.1
States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
7 States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:
7.a
To vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies;
7 States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:
7.b
To participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government;
7 States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:
7.c
To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country.
CRPD
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
4.3
In the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the present Convention, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities, States Parties shall closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations.
ICRMW
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
41.1
Migrant workers and members of their families shall have the right to participate in public affairs of their State of origin and to vote and to be elected at elections of that State, in accordance with its legislation.
41.2
The States concerned shall, as appropriate and in accordance with their legislation, facilitate the exercise of these rights.
42.1
States Parties shall consider the establishment of procedures or institutions through which account may be taken, both in States of origin and in States of employment, of special needs, aspirations and obligations of migrant workers and members of their families and shall envisage, as appropriate, the possibility for migrant workers and members of their families to have their freely chosen representatives in those institutions.
42.2
States of employment shall facilitate, in accordance with their national legislation, the consultation or participation of migrant workers and members of their families in decisions concerning the life and administration of local communities.
42.3
Migrant workers may enjoy political rights in the State of employment if that State, in the exercise of its sovereignty, grants them such rights.
UNDRIP
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
5
Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.
18
Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights, through representatives chosen by themselves in accordance with their own procedures, as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous decision-making institutions.
Aarhus Convention
Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
1
In order to contribute to the protection of the right of every person of present and future generations to live in an environment adequate to his or her health and well-being, each Party shall guarantee the rights of access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.
3.1
Each Party shall take the necessary legislative, regulatory and other measures, including measures to achieve compatibility between the provisions implementing the information, public participation and access-to-justice provisions in this Convention, as well as proper enforcement measures, to establish and maintain a clear, transparent and consistent framework to implement the provisions of this Convention.
3.2
Each Party shall endeavour to ensure that officials and authorities assist and provide guidance to the public in seeking access to information, in facilitating participation in decision-making and in seeking access to justice in environmental matters.
3.3
Each Party shall promote environmental education and environmental awareness among the public, especially on how to obtain access to information, to participate in decision-making and to obtain access to justice in environmental matters.
3.5
The provisions of this Convention shall not affect the right of a Party to maintain or introduce measures providing for broader access to information, more extensive public participation in decision-making and wider access to justice in environmental matters than required by this Convention.
3.6
This Convention shall not require any derogation from existing rights of access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.
3.9
Within the scope of the relevant provisions of this Convention, the public shall have access to information, have the possibility to participate in decision-making and have access to justice in environmental matters without discrimination as to citizenship, nationality or domicile and, in the case of a legal person, without discrimination as to where it has its registered seat or an effective centre of its activities.
6.2.d.vi
An indication of what environmental information relevant to the proposed activity is available; and
6.2.e
The fact that the activity is subject to a national or transboundary environmental impact assessment procedure.
6.4
Each Party shall provide for early public participation, when all options are open and effective public participation can take place.
6.6.e
An outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant; and
6.6 Each Party shall require the competent public authorities to give the public concerned access for examination, upon request where so required under national law, free of charge and as soon as it becomes available, to all information relevant to the decision-making referred to in this article that is available at the time of the public participation procedure, without prejudice to the right of Parties to refuse to disclose certain information in accordance with article 4, paragraphs 3 and 4. The relevant information shall include at least, and without prejudice to the provisions of article 4:
6.6.f
In accordance with national legislation, the main reports and advice issued to the public authority at the time when the public concerned shall be informed in accordance with paragraph 2 above.
6.10
Each Party shall ensure that, when a public authority reconsiders or updates the operating conditions for an activity referred to in paragraph 1, the provisions of paragraphs 2 to 9 of this article are applied mutatis mutandis, and where appropriate.
6.11
Each Party shall, within the framework of its national law, apply, to the extent feasible and appropriate, provisions of this article to decisions on whether to permit the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment.
8.a
Time-frames sufficient for effective participation should be fixed;
10.1
The first meeting of the Parties shall be convened no later than one year after the date of the entry into force of this Convention. Thereafter, an ordinary meeting of the Parties shall be held at least once every two years, unless otherwise decided by the Parties, or at the written request of any Party, provided that, within six months of the request being communicated to all Parties by the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe, the said request is supported by at least one third of the Parties.
10.3
The Meeting of the Parties may, as necessary, consider establishing financial arrangements on a consensus basis.
14.6
On the expiry of twelve months from the date of its communication by the Depositary as provided for in paragraph 4 above an amendment to an annex shall become effective for those Parties which have not submitted a notification to the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 above, provided that not more than one third of the Parties have submitted such a notification.
Kiev Protocol
Kiev Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the Aarhus Convention
1
The objective of this Protocol is to enhance public access to information through the establishment of coherent, integrated, nationwide pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs) in accordance with the provisions of this Protocol, which could facilitate public participation in environmental decision-making as well as contribute to the prevention and reduction of pollution of the environment.
4.i
Allows for public participation in its development and modification; and
13.1
Each Party shall ensure appropriate opportunities for public participation in the development of its national pollutant release and transfer register, within the framework of its national law.
13.2
For the purpose of paragraph 1, each Party shall provide the opportunity for free public access to the information on the proposed measures concerning the development of its national pollutant release and transfer register and for the submission of any comments, information, analyses or opinions that are relevant to the decision-making process, and the relevant authority shall take due account of such public input.
Escazú Agreement
Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean
4.3
Each Party shall adopt the necessary measures, of a legislative, regulatory, administrative or any other nature, in the framework of its domestic provisions, to guarantee the implementation of the provisions of the present Agreement.
4.4
With the aim of contributing to the effective application of the present Agreement, each Party shall provide the public with information to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge on access rights.
4.5
Each Party shall ensure that guidance and assistance is provided to the public —particularly those persons or groups in vulnerable situations— in order to facilitate the exercise of their access rights.
5.2
The exercise of the right of access to environmental information includes:
5.2 The exercise of the right of access to environmental information includes:
5.2.a
requesting and receiving information from competent authorities without mentioning any special interest or explaining the reasons for the request;
5.2 The exercise of the right of access to environmental information includes:
5.2.b
being informed promptly whether the requested information is in possession or not of the competent authority receiving the request;
5.2 The exercise of the right of access to environmental information includes:
5.2.c
being informed of the right to challenge and appeal when information is not delivered, and of the requirements for exercising this right.
5.3
Each Party shall facilitate access to environmental information for persons or groups in vulnerable situations, establishing procedures for the provision of assistance, from the formulation of requests through to the delivery of the information, taking into account their conditions and specificities, for the purpose of promoting access and participation under equal conditions.
5.4
Each Party shall guarantee that the above-mentioned persons or groups in vulnerable situations, including indigenous peoples and ethnic groups, receive assistance in preparing their requests and obtain a response.
5.18
Each Party shall establish or designate one or more impartial entities or institutions with autonomy and independence to promote transparency in access to environmental information, to oversee compliance with rules, and monitor, report on and guarantee the right of access to information. Each Party may consider including or strengthening, as appropriate, sanctioning powers within the scope of the responsibilities of the aforementioned entities or institutions.
6.1
Each Party shall guarantee, to the extent possible within available resources, that the competent authorities generate, collect, publicize and disseminate environmental information relevant to their functions in a systematic, proactive, timely, regular, accessible and comprehensible manner, and periodically update this information and encourage the disaggregation and decentralization of environmental information at the subnational and local levels. Each Party shall strengthen coordination between the different authorities of the State.
6.2
The competent authorities shall endeavour to ensure, to the extent possible, that environmental information is reusable, processable and available in formats that are accessible, and that no restrictions are placed on its reproduction or use, in accordance with domestic legislation.
6.3
Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.a
the texts of treaties and international agreements, as well as environmental laws, regulations and administrative acts;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.b
reports on the state of the environment;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.c
a list of public entities competent in environmental matters and, where possible, their respective areas of operation;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.d
a list of polluted areas, by type of pollutant and location;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.e
information on the use and conservation of natural resources and ecosystem services;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.f
scientific, technical or technological reports, studies and information on environmental matters produced by academic and research institutions, whether public or private, national or foreign;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.g
climate change sources aimed at building national capacities;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.h
information on environmental impact assessment processes and on other environmental management instruments, where applicable, and environmental licences or permits granted by the public authorities;
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.i
an estimated list of waste by type and, when possible, by volume, location and year; and
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.j
information on the imposition of administrative sanctions in environmental matters.
6.3 Each Party shall have in place one or more up-to-date environmental information systems, which may include, inter alia:
6.3.z
Each Party shall guarantee that environmental information systems are duly organized, accessible to all persons and made progressively available through information technology and georeferenced media, where appropriate.
6.4
Each Party shall take steps to establish a pollutant release and transfer register covering air, water, soil and subsoil pollutants, as well as materials and waste in its jurisdiction. This register will be established progressively and updated periodically.
6.6
In order to facilitate access by persons or groups in vulnerable situations to information that particularly affects them, each Party shall endeavour, where applicable, to ensure that the competent authorities disseminate environmental information in the various languages used in the country, and prepare alternative formats that are comprehensible to those groups, using suitable channels of communication.
6.7
Each Party shall use its best endeavours to publish and disseminate at regular intervals, not exceeding five years, a national report on the state of the environment, which may contain:
6.7 Each Party shall use its best endeavours to publish and disseminate at regular intervals, not exceeding five years, a national report on the state of the environment, which may contain:
6.7.a
information on the state of the environment and natural resources, including quantitative data, where possible;
6.7 Each Party shall use its best endeavours to publish and disseminate at regular intervals, not exceeding five years, a national report on the state of the environment, which may contain:
6.7.b
national actions to fulfil environmental legal obligations;
6.7 Each Party shall use its best endeavours to publish and disseminate at regular intervals, not exceeding five years, a national report on the state of the environment, which may contain:
6.7.c
advances in the implementation of the access rights; and
6.7 Each Party shall use its best endeavours to publish and disseminate at regular intervals, not exceeding five years, a national report on the state of the environment, which may contain:
6.7.d
collaboration agreements among public, social and private sectors.
6.7 Each Party shall use its best endeavours to publish and disseminate at regular intervals, not exceeding five years, a national report on the state of the environment, which may contain:
6.7.z
Such reports shall be drafted in an easily comprehensible manner and accessible to the public in different formats and disseminated through appropriate means, taking into account cultural realities. Each Party may invite the public to make contributions to these reports.
6.10
Each Party shall ensure that consumers and users have official, relevant and clear information on the environmental qualities of goods and services and their effects on health, favouring sustainable production and consumption patterns.
6.12
Each Party shall take the necessary measures, through legal or administrative frameworks, among others, to promote access to environmental information in the possession of private entities, in particular information on their operations and the possible risks and effects on human health and the environment.
7.1
Each Party shall ensure the public’s right to participation and, for that purpose, commits to implement open and inclusive participation in environmental decision-making processes based on domestic and international normative frameworks.
7.2
Each Party shall guarantee mechanisms for the participation of the public in decision-making processes, revisions, re-examinations or updates with respect to projects and activities, and in other processes for granting environmental permits that have or may have a significant impact on the environment, including when they may affect health.
7.3
Each Party shall promote the participation of the public in decision-making processes, revisions, re-examinations or updates other than those referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article with respect to environmental matters of public interest, such as land-use planning, policies, strategies, plans, programmes, rules and regulations, which have or may have a significant impact on the environment.
7.4
Each Party shall adopt measures to ensure that the public can participate in the decision-making process from the early stages, so that due consideration can be given to the observations of the public, thus contributing to the process. To that effect, each Party shall provide the public with the necessary information in a clear, timely and comprehensive manner, to give effect to its right to participate in the decision-making process.
7.5
The public participation procedure will provide for reasonable timeframes that allow sufficient time to inform the public and for its effective participation.
7.6
The public shall be informed, through appropriate means, such as in writing, electronically, orally and by customary methods, and in an effective, comprehensible and timely manner, as a minimum, of the following:
7.6 The public shall be informed, through appropriate means, such as in writing, electronically, orally and by customary methods, and in an effective, comprehensible and timely manner, as a minimum, of the following:
7.6.a
the type or nature of the environmental decision under consideration and, where appropriate, in non-technical language;
7.6 The public shall be informed, through appropriate means, such as in writing, electronically, orally and by customary methods, and in an effective, comprehensible and timely manner, as a minimum, of the following:
7.6.b
the authority responsible for making the decision and other authorities and bodies involved;
7.6 The public shall be informed, through appropriate means, such as in writing, electronically, orally and by customary methods, and in an effective, comprehensible and timely manner, as a minimum, of the following:
7.6.c
the procedure foreseen for the participation of the public, including the date on which the procedure will begin and end, mechanisms for participation and, where applicable, the date and place of any public consultation or hearing; and
7.6 The public shall be informed, through appropriate means, such as in writing, electronically, orally and by customary methods, and in an effective, comprehensible and timely manner, as a minimum, of the following:
7.6.d
the public authorities involved from which additional information on the environmental decision under consideration can be requested and the procedure for requesting information.
7.7
The public’s right to participate in environmental decision-making processes shall include the opportunity to present observations through appropriate means available, according to the circumstances of the process. Before adopting the decision, the relevant public authority shall give due consideration to the outcome of the participation process.
7.8
Each Party shall ensure that, once a decision has been made, the public is informed in a timely manner thereof and of the grounds and reasons underlying the decision, including how the observations of the public have been taken into consideration. The decision and its basis shall be made public and be accessible.
7.9
The dissemination of the decisions resulting from environmental impact assessments and other environmental decision-making processes in which the public has participated shall be carried out through appropriate means, which may include written, electronic or oral means and customary methods, in an effective and prompt manner. The information disseminated shall include the established procedure to allow the public to take the relevant administrative and judicial actions.
7.10
Each Party shall establish conditions that are favourable to public participation in environmental decision-making processes and that are adapted to the social, economic, cultural, geographical and gender characteristics of the public.
7.11
When the primary language of the directly affected public is different to the official languages, the public authority shall ensure that means are provided to facilitate their understanding and participation.
7.12
Each Party shall promote, where appropriate and in accordance with domestic legislation, public participation in international forums and negotiations on environmental matters or with an environmental impact, in accordance with the procedural rules on participation of each forum. The participation of the public at the national level on matters of international environmental forums shall also be promoted, where appropriate.
7.13
Each Party shall encourage the establishment of appropriate spaces for consultation on environmental matters or the use of those that are already in existence in which various groups and sectors are able to participate. Each Party shall promote regard for local knowledge, dialogue and interaction of different views and knowledge, where appropriate.
7.14
The public authorities shall make efforts to identify and support persons or groups in vulnerable situations in order to engage them in an active, timely and effective manner in participation mechanisms. For these purposes, appropriate means and formats will be considered, in order to eliminate barriers to participation.
7.15
In the implementation of the present Agreement, each Party shall guarantee that its domestic legislation and international obligations in relation to the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities are observed.
7.16
The public authority shall make efforts to identify the public directly affected by the projects or activities that have or may have a significant impact on the environment and shall promote specific actions to facilitate their participation.
7.17
With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.a
a description of the area of influence and physical and technical characteristics of the proposed project or activity;
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.b
a description of the main environmental impacts of the project or activity and, as appropriate, the cumulative environmental impact;
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.c
a description of the measures foreseen with respect to those impacts;
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.d
a summary of (a), (b) and (c) of the present paragraph in comprehensible, non-technical language;
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.e
the public reports and opinions of the involved entities addressed to the public authority related to the project or activity under consideration;
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.f
a description of the available technologies to be used and alternative locations for executing the project or activity subject to assessment, when the information is available; and
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.g
actions taken to monitor the implementation and results of environmental impact assessment measures.
7.17 With respect to the environmental decision-making processes referred to in paragraph 2 of the present article, as a minimum, the following information shall be made public:
7.17.z
The aforementioned information shall be made available free of charge to the public in accordance with paragraph 17 of article 5 of the present Agreement.
ECHR Protocol
Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
3
The High Contracting Parties undertake to hold free elections at reasonable intervals by secret ballot, under conditions which will ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature.
European Framework Convention on Minorities
Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
15
The Parties shall create the conditions necessary for the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, in particular those affecting them.
ADRDM
American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man
XX
Every person having legal capacity is entitled to participate in the government of his country, directly or through his representatives, and to take part in popular elections, which shall be by secret ballot, and shall be honest, periodic and free.
ACHR
American Convention on Human Rights
23.1
Every citizen shall enjoy the following rights and opportunities:
23.1.a
to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;
23.1.b
to vote and to be elected in genuine periodic elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and by secret ballot that guarantees the free expression of the will of the voters;
23.1.c
to have access, under general conditions of equality, to the public service of his country.
23.2
The law may regulate the exercise of the rights and opportunities referred to in the preceding paragraph only on the basis of age, nationality, residence, language, education, civil and mental capacity, or sentencing by a competent court in criminal proceedings.
Inter-American Convention on discrimination against persons with disabilities
Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities
V.1
To the extent that it is consistent with their respective internal laws, the states parties shall promote participation by representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, nongovernmental organizations working in this area, or, if such organizations do not exist, persons with disabilities, in the development, execution, and evaluation of measures and policies to implement this Convention
ACHPR
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
13.1
Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country, either directly of through freely chosen representatives in accordance with the provisions of the law.
13.2
Every citizen shall have the right of equal access to the public service of his country.
ACRWC
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
7
Every child who is capable of communicating his or her own views shall be assured the rights to express his opinions freely in all matters and to disseminate his opinions subject to such restrictions as are prescribed by laws.
Maputo Protocol
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
9.1
States Parties shall take specific positive action to promote participative governance and the equal participation of women in the political life of their countries through affirmative action, enabling national legislation and other measures to ensure that:
9.1.a
women participate without any discrimination in all elections;
9.1.b
women are represented equally at all levels with men in all electoral processes;
9.1.c
women are equal partners with men at all levels of development and implementation of State policies and development programmes.
9.2
States Parties shall ensure increased and effective representation and participation of women at all levels of decision-making.
17.1
Women shall have the right to live in a positive cultural context and to participate at all levels in the determination of cultural policies
17.2
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to enhance the participation of women in the formulation of cultural policies at all levels.
18.2
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to:
18.2.a
ensure greater participation of women in the planning, management and preservation of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources at all levels;
19
Women shall have the right to fully enjoy their right to sustainable development. In this connection, the States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to:
19.b
ensure participation of women at all levels in the conceptualisation, decision-making, implementation and evaluation of development policies and programmes;
UNFCCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
4.1
All Parties, taking into account their common but differentiated responsibilities and their specific national and regional development priorities, objectives and circumstances, shall:
4.1.i
Promote and cooperate in education, training and public awareness related to climate change and encourage the widest participation in this process, including that of non-governmental organizations;
6
In carrying out their commitments under Article 4, paragraph 1(i), the Parties shall:
6.a
Promote and facilitate at the national and, as appropriate, subregional and regional levels, and in accordance with national laws and regulations, and within their respective capacities:
6.a.i
The development and implementation of educational and public awareness programmes on climate change and its effects;
6.a.ii
Public access to information on climate change and its effects;
6.a.iii
Public participation in addressing climate change and its effects and developing adequate responses;
6.b
Cooperate in and promote, at the international level, and, where appropriate, using existing bodies:
6.b.i
The development and exchange of educational and public awareness material on climate change and its effects;
6.b.ii
The development and implementation of education and training programmes, including the strengthening of national institutions and the exchange or secondment of personnel to train experts in this field, in particular for developing countries.
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity
8
Each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate:
8 Each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate:
8.j
Subject to its national legislation, respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge, innovations and practices;
14.1
Each Contracting Party, as far as possible and as appropriate, shall:
14.1.a
Introduce appropriate procedures requiring environmental impact assessment of its proposed projects that are likeiy to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity with a view to avoiding or minimizing such effects and, where appropriate. allow for public participation in such procedures;