Developing human rights indicators

The methodology used in the development of the Indicator Framework followed the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) guide to develop human rights-based indicators: Human Rights Indicators: A Guide to Measurement and Implementation.

The first step was to identify the key human rights reflected in the UNDHRD. These are reflected in the five categories under which this data collection tool is organised, namely:

In the next step, attributes were defined for each of these categories, drawing on the UNDHRD, related human rights law, and guidance for the interpretation of these rights, particularly with reference to the situation of human rights defenders. The attributes and issues monitored under each category can be found here.

After the identification of categories and attributes, indicators were then developed against each of them according to the OHCHR methodology. Efforts were accordingly made to identify structural, process and/or outcome indicators for measuring states’ commitment, efforts, and results in terms of furthering and protecting an enabling environment for human rights defenders. 

1. Structural indicators: measure states’ commitment to human rights, as reflected in, for example, the ratification of international treaties or the adoption of national laws and policies.
2. Process indicators: measure states’ efforts to transform human rights commitments into results, for example, through budget allocations, establishment of institutions, training of personnel etc.
3. Outcome indicators: measure the actual results or impact of states’ commitments and efforts in terms of the populations enjoyment of human rights.   

The final Indicator Framework in this tool contains a total of 73 indicators. It includes both newly developed indicators for this tool and existing indicators used by other relevant monitoring initiatives, such as SDG indicators and others. These indicators have been converted into two online assessments with questions that seek to operationalise data collection for each indicator. One assessment enables data collection at national level and the second facilitates data collection for specific groups of human rights defenders.

The assessments include direct linkages to what is monitored by the respective indicators to facilitate complementary monitoring of relevant issues. This includes both the relevant human rights instruments and the SDG targets. In this way, the data collected can be used for national monitoring efforts as well as for reporting to international human rights mechanisms (human rights reporting) and to SDG processes (Voluntary National Reviews).

The Danish Institute for Human Rights has collaborated with more than 20 organizations and institutions to develop the indicator framework and the assessments for this tool.

• UNDHRD, Article 5: For the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels: (b) To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups
• Category: Freedom of Association and Assembly
• Attribute: Freedom to form, join, operate, and participate in associations

Example of indicator under this attribute

Reported cases of unlawful interference by the State in the operation of associations working on human rights issues (over the last three year)

Example of question for this indicator

In the last three years, have there been any cases of unlawful interference by the State in the operations of associations?

The question includes disaggregation by the type of issues the associations work on and if they are legally registered.

Example of what is monitored in binding human rights instrument and SDGs

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 8.1: The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure: a) The right of everyone to form trade unions and join the trade union of his choice, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, for the promotion and protection of his economic and social interests. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others; b) The right of trade unions to establish national federations or confederations and the right of the latter to form or join international trade-union organizations; c) The right of trade unions to function freely subject to no limitations other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others;

Sustainable Development Goal target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.