The Millennium Declaration, Rights, and Constitutions

This work examines the achievement of different countries in providing socio-economic rights through their constitutional frameworks so as to meet the millennium development goals. It argues how constitutions can either support rights or obstruct the achievement of rights related to education, food, water, housing, health, sanitation, work, sustainable development, etc. Emphasizing the need to pursue millennium development goals far beyond 2015, it explains that a constitution must provide institutions and procedures to translate constitutional ideals into reality. It highlights the critical decisions that need to be made in the drafting of Bill of Rights, and explains options that are likely to extend the scope of rights to make them effective in practice. It makes a comparative study of the rights provided in various constitutions and also studies them in reference to women, minorities, and indigenous people. It further stresses upon the need for independent institutions to deal with complaints against the state for maladministration and unfair discrimination along with action by civil society to realize the millennium development goals.

Part I: Human Rights and Human Development: A. Reflection on Poverty; B. The Millennium Declaration and the MDGs; C. Rights; D, Human Rights Framework and the Human Rights Approach to Development; E. How do the MDGs and Rights Relate to Each Other ; Part II: Constitutional Strategy: A, Reviewing or Making the Constitution; B. A Constitution to which the People can Relate to; C. An Effective Bill of Rights; D. Specific Rights; E. The Invisible: MDGs, Rights and Constitutions ; Part III: Implementing and Consolidating the Constitution, The Whole Constitution as a Framework for Rights, The Neo-colonial State, Restructuring the Neo-colonial State, Societal Context