A Rights-Based Approach towards Budget Analysis

Abstract

Budget analysis is emerging as a valuable tool of ESC rights activism. In case after case involving ESC rights, budget analysis can play an important role in vindicating any claims that may arise and in enforcing the rights in question. Every time the state adopts a policy or issues a public pronouncement that is patently discriminatory, many ESC rights advocates respond. Yet, the sad reality is that for many activists, their opposition is often left unheard and unheeded by the state. Once the policy or pronouncement finds itself expressed in the budget, in the form of a program or project, the state has indicated its total commitment to such discriminatory action. Once the budget is approved, the policy or pronouncement will likely be implemented to the detriment of the affected communities or sectors. In this case, budget analysis can play a particularly important role.