Human Rights City Framework

What makes up the framework of a Human Rights City?

 A Human Rights City is grounded in the core principles of transparency, accountability, participation, indivisibility, universality, and non-discrimination. These principles guide how local governments and community stakeholders design policies, deliver services, and engage residents. 

Applying a Human Rights–Based Approach to Governance

The city commits to embedding a human rights–based approach across all policies, programs, and relationships with stakeholders, including businesses and civil society organizations. This approach includes:

• Recognizing residents as rights holders with clear entitlements, while acknowledging the city’s responsibility as a duty-bearer to respect, protect, and fulfill those rights.
• Identifying and addressing inequalities, eliminating discrimination, and empowering residents—especially marginalized and disadvantaged groups—through targeted measures that improve access to services and strengthen participation.
• Ensuring meaningful participation of residents in decisions that affect their lives and communities.
• Promoting accountability and transparency in city operations and service delivery, including through quality standards, monitoring systems, and public feedback mechanisms.
• Fostering diversity, mutual respect, and belonging so that all residents feel valued and included in community life.

Engaging with Global Human Rights and Development Frameworks

The city commits to supporting and contributing to international human rights and development efforts, including participation in global initiatives such as the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, United Nations Agenda 2030, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The city will also collaborate with related global movements such as Compassionate Cities and Cities of Peace.

Establishing a Human Rights Coordination Structure

A designated human rights office or focal point will be established within city administration to coordinate human rights activities and support collaboration among city departments, stakeholders, and community groups.

This structure will work to mainstream human rights across all policy areas, ensuring a whole-of-government approach where human rights responsibility is shared across departments rather than confined to a single office.

Creating a Participatory Advisory Body

The city will establish an independent, multi-stakeholder advisory council or committee composed of representatives from local government, business, youth groups, cultural organizations, and civil society.

This body will:

• Advise on human rights policy and priorities
• Engage and communicate with vulnerable and marginalized communities
• Facilitate collaboration between residents and government institutions
• Provide recommendations to strengthen human rights protections locally

Operational Framework

Annual Human Rights Reporting and Monitoring

The city will develop a participatory annual reporting process that assesses the human rights performance of the city and community. Reports will be made public and presented to the city council to:

• Monitor progress
• Identify challenges and lessons learned
• Recommend new initiatives and improvements

Whenever possible, reporting will be aligned with:

• State and national datasets
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goal indicators
• Established indicator frameworks used by city networks
• Identification of best practices and corrective actions to address gaps

Capacity Building and Human Rights Education

The city will invest in training, education, and capacity building to strengthen understanding and application of human rights principles.

Training will be provided to:

• Elected officials
• City leadership and staff
• Public service professionals such as police officers, teachers, healthcare providers, and social service organizations.

Local Human Rights Action Plan

Through a participatory process involving community members and rights holders, the city will develop and implement a local Human Rights Action Plan. This plan will include clear goals, indicators, and timelines to guide human rights progress.

Human Rights Impact Review

Procedures will be established to review and assess city policies, regulations, and programs to ensure they align with human rights standards and evaluate their impact on residents’ rights.

Public Engagement and Human Rights Promotion

The city will actively promote human rights through public education, outreach, and community engagement, including campaigns, awards, public forums, cultural programming, and sports or civic events that highlight human rights values.