Implementing the right to food: review of the progress

[14 May 2010] GENEVA – Two years after taking office as UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to food, Prof. Olivier De Schutter presents a review of the progress made by a number of countries in implementing the human right to food at national level.

His review highlights concrete examples of initiatives recently taken by countries such as South Africa, Brazil, Mozambique, India or Nepal.

The right to food is now alive in 24 constitutions as well as in different national policies, food security institutions, and courts. According to the Special Rapporteur, these initiatives are key steps for lasting progress in the fight against hunger.

This review is published at a time when UN agencies prepare themselves to update the ‘Comprehensive Framework of Action’ (CFA) which was initially adopted in July 2008. The Special Rapporteur has made five proposals for a genuine integration of the right to food in the CFA, in advance of the Dublin dialogue on the revision of the CFA on May 17 and 18.

ReadPDF “Countries tackling hunger with a right to food approach. Significant progress in implementing the right to food at national scale in Africa, Latin America and South Asia”, Briefing note by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, May 2010
ReadPDF “Five proposals for a genuine integration of the right to food in the Revised Comprehensive Framework of Action (CFA)”, Contribution to the Dublin Consultation (17-18 May 2010)