In November 2023, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) released a new Human Rights concept for German development cooperation. The concept envisions a world where everyone is free of hardships and there is equal social, economic and political participation regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation, of disability or age, ethnic origin or religion. The realisation of human rights, gender equality and disability inclusion are the guiding principles for this new concept.
It focuses on the individual as a rights owner, making specific reference to women, children, persons with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+. The role of states is to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of every individual. Human rights-based development policy is at the core of German development cooperation, supporting individuals in knowing, claiming, and realising their rights, as well as addressing states to deliver on their obligations.
As part of its commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities, the German government also recently introduced the OECD-DAC Inclusion Policy Marker (January 2024). The Marker will ensure that disability inclusion is taken into account in the design and implementation of all policies and projects of German development cooperation, and also makes it possible for the first time to monitor the extent to which people with disabilities benefit from German development programmes.
Find more information on the new Human Rights concept in German development cooperation on the website of the BMZ [in German].
