Home - Extreme Poverty and Human Rights

Poverty is the price we pay for our inability to build inclusive societies that value people’s diversity

People in poverty are rights-holders and agents of change; they deserve justice, not charity

Poverty is like a punishment for a crime you didn’t commit

Op-ed – Latin America is a global leader in COVID-19 vaccination. Now lessons must be learnt to combat the pandemic of poverty.

Post Opinión - The Washington Post, 27 June 2022: When COVID-19 first swept across Latin America and the Caribbean,...

Presentation to the UN Human Rights Council on non-take-up

27 June 2022: Millions of people, including some of the world’s most marginalized groups, are unable to benefit from the...

Press release – Millions failing to access social protection entitlements

GENEVA (24 June 2022) – Millions of people, including some of the world’s most marginalized groups, are unable to benefit...

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Poverty is a violation of human rights

"To combat social exclusion, we should create an inclusive society, recognizing the potential of each individual and nurturing diversity"

Welcome to the website of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Olivier De Schutter. Navigate the menu below to learn more about the work of the Special Rapporteur as he investigates and advises on human rights and poverty around the world. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

Priorities of the mandate

This website is not managed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Its content does not reflect the official position of the United Nations.