Human Rights and Constitution Making

Human Rights and Constitution Making Synopsis

This publication explores human rights in the context of constitution making. It notes the important role of participatory processes which should be designed to ensure that consultations with a wide variety of interest groups and vulnerable parts of the populations take place when a new constitution is drafted. It also focuses on what human rights and fundamental freedoms should be included in a constitution, including civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

In addition, it addresses how the rights of women, children, the disabled, minorities and indigenous peoples can be expressed in a new constitution. Examples from over fifty different constitutions are used to illustrate how these rights can be expressed. The publication is designed for drafters of future constitutions, as well as to all those who want to ensure that human rights are protected constitutionally.