The UN recommends that Brazil reconsider its fiscal austerity program.
According to United Nations (UN) human rights rapporteurs, "people living in poverty and other marginalized groups are suffering disproportionately as a result of restrictive economic measures in a country that was once considered an example of progressive policies to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion."
247 - United Nations (UN) human rights rapporteurs recommend that Brazil reconsider its fiscal austerity program and place the human rights of its population at the center of its economic policies.
“People living in poverty and other marginalized groups are suffering disproportionately as a result of restrictive economic measures in a country that was once considered an example of progressive policies to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion,” they said on Friday (3).
“Constitutional Amendment 95, known as the spending cap amendment, which limits public spending for 20 years, leaves no hope for improvement in the near future. This fact makes it even more necessary to review economic policies from the perspective of human rights. Achieving macroeconomic and growth targets cannot be done at the expense of human rights: the economy serves society, not is its master,” they stated. The reports were published by CUT, in entity website.
They further emphasized that austerity measures should never be seen as the only or first solution to economic problems, especially considering their impact on the most vulnerable.
“There is a common misconception among governments and international financial institutions that economic crises can justify any and all cuts to essential services and economic and social rights. But exactly the opposite is true. Austerity measures should only be taken after careful analysis of their impact, particularly because they affect the most disadvantaged individuals and groups. They should only be considered after a comprehensive assessment of their impact on human rights.”
According to them, such an assessment should seriously consider less harmful policy alternatives, such as raising taxes on the wealthiest before placing an even greater burden on the less fortunate. Measures to reduce public debt and restore not only financial but also social sustainability should also be considered.
According to UN rapporteurs, Brazil, once a champion in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, is dramatically reversing its main food security policies. "In the area of housing, the 'Minha Casa Minha Vida' (My House, My Life) program has suffered drastic cuts," they noted. Regarding water and sanitation, a third of the budget will be reduced according to 2018 forecasts, they said.
The UN experts who signed the statement are Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky (Argentina), Independent Expert on External Debt and Human Rights; Leo Heller (Brazil), Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation; Ivana Radačić (Croatia), Chair of the Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice; Hilal Elver (Turkey), Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food; Leilani Farha (Canada), Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing; Dainius Pūras (Lithuania), Special Rapporteur on the Right to Physical and Mental Health; and Koumbou Boly Barry (Burkina Faso), Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education.
*With information from CUT.