The Special Rapporteur’s Thematic Reports are synthesized below. Select the report title to view the report summary and to access full text versions of the report.
2020: Critical perspective on food systems, food crises and the future of the right to food (A/HRC/43/44)
The present report marks the close of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and serves as her final presentation to the Human Rights Council in her official capacity. Over the past six years, Hilal Elver has gained a unique insight into the global state of the right to food. Such knowledge has led her to conclude that, despite the Sustainable Development Goal of “zero hunger” and malnutrition by 2030, the realization of the right to food remains a distant, if not impossible, reality for far too many. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur offers a critical perspective on the trends that have led to this reality and a review of new developments that have the potential to change the status quo. She also looks to the future, highlighting the roles and responsibilities of key players in advancing the right to food. The recommendations set forth in the report are intended to facilitate the work of subsequent Special Rapporteurs and contribute to the mandate’s institutional memory. The Special Rapporteur therefore intends for the report to provide a foundation for those who wish to guarantee a world free from hunger and malnutrition for the next generation.
2019: Sustainable Development Goals and the right to food (A/74/164)
The Special Rapporteur focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals, the cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as a potentially transformative tool to advance the realization of the right to food, as well as other economic, social and cultural rights. Despite not explicitly recognizing the right to food, the promise of the Goals to leave no one behind in the pursuit of human rights for all reflects the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Inequality, and the inequitable distribution of food and productive resources, remains a significant barrier to the realization of the right to food, especially for populations that have been historically and structurally left behind. Engaging these populations in the policy process and implementing the Goals from a holistic, human rights-based approach will revitalize efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition and enable the universal enjoyment of the right to food.
2019: Fishery workers and the right to food (A/HRC/40/56)
Following the interim report of the Special Rapporteur devoted to the rights of agricultural workers and the right to food and the paradoxical challenge they face in realizing their right to food (A/73/164), the Special Rapporteur similarly considers two aspects of fishery workers’ rights: first, the report details the essential role that fishery workers play in contributing to the food security and nutrition of others, thus enabling the greater realization of the right to food. Second, the report discusses the unique barriers that fishery workers face to the enjoyment of their own human rights, especially the right to food, with particular attention to vulnerable groups of fishery workers, e.g. women, children, migrant workers, and coastal and indigenous communities. Finally, the report focuses on the obligations of States under international legal frameworks and the potential contribution of the private sector, fishery organizations, and consumers to enable the realization of the right to food of fishery workers in a changing global food system.
2018: Agricultural workers and the right to food (A/73/164)
The Special Rapporteur addresses the formidable barriers to agricultural workers’ realization of their right to food, despite the critical role that they play in securing this right for others. The report takes a comprehensive look at these challenges and outlines the obligations of States to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of agricultural workers, including the rights to a living wage, decent and safe working conditions and peaceful assembly and association,which are necessary pre-conditions to realizing the right to food. The report also explores the role of the State in regulating the private sector, as well as the role of businesses and consumers in promoting the rights of supply chain workers. Lastly, the report provides a set of recommendations to States and other stakeholders on how to improve the human rights situation of agricultural workers, with a focus on their right to food in a rapidly changing global food system.
2018: Right to food in the context of natural disasters (A/HRC/37/61)
Using country-specific examples, the Special Rapporteur contextualizes the direct and indirect impacts of natural disasters on the right to food and people’s livelihoods. This report addresses how disasters contribute to hunger and recommends solutions for reducing human rights violations and environmental degradation. This report also underlines the importance of achieving a convergence between emergency food aid, food assistance and development cooperation in order to ensure the full realization of the right to food.
2017: Right to food in the context of conflict situations (A/72/188)
In this report, the Special Rapporteur discusses severe food insecurity in countries most affected by internal and international conflict through the lens of human rights and international humanitarian law. Despite well-establishes rules governing these areas of law, hunger and famine in conflict zones are a source of major casualties and widespread suffering among the civilian population. The principal aim of this report is to raise awareness about non-compliance of States and failure to implement existing norms and guidelines designed to protect citizens when conflict strikes.
2017: Effects of pesticides on the right to food (A/HRC/34/48)
This report was written in collaboration with the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. In this report, the Special Rapporteur addresses the impact of pesticide use in agriculture and its impact on human rights, sheds light on the negative consequences of pesticide practices on public and environmental health, and examines the sufficiency of existing regulations to protect farm workers, consumers, and vulnerable populations.
2016: Right to food and nutrition (A/71/282)
In this report, the Special Rapporteur reiterates the importance of a rights-based approach to “adequate food,” i.e. nutritious food for all. This report discusses the underlying factors affecting nutrition, including industrial food systems, unhealthy eating environments and the rising threat of non-communicable diseases. The Special Rapporteur also raises concerns associated with trade liberalization and the unregulated marketing of food products.
2015: Integrating a gender perspective in the right to food (A/HRC/31/51)
In this report, the Special Rapporteur explores the structural, cultural, legal, economic and ecological barriers that women face in their fulfillment of the right to food. Using relevant case studies, the Special Rapporteur demonstrates how increasing women’s access to and control over assets has shown to have positive effects on household food security, child nutrition, and the general welfare of women and families. The report encourages States to focus on gender-sensitive policies in all fields, particularly in the context of climate change, in order to further guarantee women’s right to food.
2015: Impact of climate change on the right to food (A/70/287)
This report outlines the adverse impact of climate change on the right to food. The Special Rapporteur places particular emphasis on the geographic and socioeconomic vulnerabilities of those most affected and highlights the contribution of current agricultural practices to climate change. This report concludes by advocating for relevant, effective mitigation and adaptation policies and a human rights approach in order to achieve climate justice, eradicate hunger, and ensure the full realization of the right to food.
2014: Access to Justice and the right to food: the way forward (A/HRC/28/65)
The Special Rapporteur explores the obstacles faced by those wishing to seek remedy for violations related to the right to food by analysing the current international legal framework. This report encourages States to develop judicial remedies in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and to fulfill extraterritorial obligations in relation to the right to food.