Builds upon two earlier reports on extreme poverty as well as a mission report on extreme poverty conditions in the United States and takes into account observations of the Expert Seminar on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights in Geneva in 2007.

The present report addresses the impact of the current global financial crisis on people living in extreme poverty and the enjoyment of their human rights. It stresses that the crisis offers an opportunity to move beyond the restructuring of the global financial and monetary systems and to place people at the centre of policy measures by enhancing social protection systems from a human rights-based approach. The report describes how human rights standards provide a normative framework for the adoption of social protection measures and provide guidance for their design, implementation and evaluation. Beyond reaffirming political will to rescue economies, the report urges the international community to take action and mobilize support in order to ensure that those who continue to suffer the most acute consequences of economic crises are protected and supported through the adoption and strengthening of social protection systems.

In the present report, the United Nations Independent Expert sets out the parameters of a human rights-based approach to recovery from the global economic and financial crises, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and marginalized groups. The report urges States to see recovery from the crises as an opportunity for change, a chance to rectify deeply ingrained poverty and social exclusion, restore social cohesion and lay the foundations for more equitable, sustainable societies. The report first identifies the human rights framework that States must comply with when designing recovery measures. The report notes that, while States have discretion to adopt policy measures according to their own context, human rights are not dispensable during times of economic hardship, and States must design and implement all policies according to their human rights obligations. The report analyses a number of recovery measures from a human rights perspective, highlighting their potential to threaten the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. Then it recommends measures that States should consider taking to facilitate a human rights-based recovery from the crises. These innovative measures will assist States in moving as effectively and efficiently as possible towards the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights. By adopting policies that have at their heart the realization of human rights, States can ensure a swifter, more sustainable and inclusive recovery.

Builds upon two earlier reports on extreme poverty as well as a mission report on extreme poverty conditions in the United States and takes into account observations of the Expert Seminar on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights in Geneva in 2007.

"In this report, the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty has chosen as her thematic focus cash transfer programmes (CTPs). These are non-contributory programmes providing payments in the form of cash to individuals or households. The primary objective of CTPs is to increase the real income of beneficiaries ... CTPs have been identified as effective tools for poverty eradication due to their capacity to reduce economic inequalities and break the intergenerational transmission of poverty ... The transfers may have an impact on the exercise of a number of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. In particular, CTPs have the potential to assist in the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing. Nonetheless, CTPs are not necessarily the most appropriate and effective means of tackling extreme poverty and protecting human rights in all contexts."--Summary.

"The independent expert recognizes the important progress in poverty reduction made in Viet Nam over two decades of rapid economic development, reflected in increased enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by the population. However, as acknowledged by Government studies, the benefits of this progress have not been equally shared, and rising inequality is a serious concern. Renewed attention is thus urgently required in order to reach the significant portion of the population that continues to live in extreme poverty, and to ensure that those whose situation has improved are protected from future crises."--Summary.

At the invitation of the Government, the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, undertook a mission to Ireland from 10 to 15 January 2011. The independent expert focuses her report on the impact of the economic and financial crises in Ireland, and the effect of recovery measures on the level of enjoyment of human rights.The independent expert recognizes the difficult situation faced by Ireland. However, the impact of the crises has been severe, particularly for the most vulnerable segments of Irish society. The independent expert reiterates that Ireland's human rights obligations apply even during times of economic hardship, and that recovery measures must not disproportionately impact the poorest segments of society.In this report, the independent expert looks at the enjoyment of human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights, by the most vulnerable individuals and groups, and provides concrete recommendations on how to implement a human rights-based recovery in Ireland.