This controversy still prevails. However, Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has made repeated statements about the importance of economic and social rights. Some European Governments have also taken a clear position on giving these rights more emphasis and priority. This was done by the Swedish Government a couple of months ago

A recognition of the importance of economic and social rights does not in any way mean a downgrading of civil and political rights, or cultural rights

The attempt to create competition or contradiction between the rights is a spillover from the cold war. All rights go hand in hand; they are mutually supportive. This is also supported by experience. The choice is not between economic development and freedom. Governments which have limited freedom of expression tend to have problems with their economic policy. When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India in 1975 and arrested tens of thousands of political and trade union activists, she argued that India needed stability in order to foster economic development. But stability through repression tends to be short-lived

It is now widely recognized that economic growth and eradication of poverty indeed are encouraged by free discussion and the rule of law. Professor Amartya Sen has helped us understand these connections through his studies on how censorship contributed to famine in South Asia. Cause-effect operates in the other direction, as well; no doubt it is easier to enhance and promote civil and political rights if there is positive economic development and the rights involved are protected. So what is the problem? What has made this an issue at all? Why have economic and social rights not been fully recognized?

As mentioned, there is an ideological dimension to the question. Human rights are addressed to governments, and it is governments which should guarantee that the citizens can enjoy their rights. Those who believe that Governments should be as small as possible may have difficulties here. They may not accept that Governments should take responsibility for providing possibilities for education, health care and a decent standard of living for the citizens

In fact, economic and social rights deal with some of the most burning issues on today's political agenda: the right to a job and acceptable working conditions; the right to go to school and have a meaningful education; the right to protection and care in situations of crisis. In periods of structural adjustment and economic reform, these questions tend to be particularly sensitive. This is probably one reason why Governments have hesitated to make them a matter of right

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"Human rights are addressed to governments, and it is governments which should guarantee that the citizens can enjoy their rights. Those who believe that Governments should be as small as possible may have difficulties here. They may not accept that Governments should take responsibility for providing possibilities for education, health care and a decent standard of living for the citizens"