A/64/279 and social protection to everybody. This obligation means that retrogressive measures are unacceptable. If, therefore, measures are taken to reduce the scope or level of social protection programmes, States have to show that they have been introduced after consideration of all alternatives and are fully justifiable in regard to the protection of all economic, social and cultural rights; 29 (c) The obligation to ensure special protection for the most vulnerable individuals and groups: the human rights framework pays particular attention to individuals belonging to the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups. Their need for special assistance to ensure enjoyment of their rights must be prioritized and non-discrimination guaranteed. The principle of equality requires in certain situations that States take affirmative action or positive measures in order to diminish or eliminate conditions that cause or help to perpetuate discrimination. D. Establishing a duty to provide international assistance and cooperation 55. The duty to cooperate is established in the Charter of the United Nations (Articles 55 and 56) and grounded in several human rights treaties (for example art. 2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and art. 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child). The responsibility of States to provide international assistance and cooperation applies to supporting and strengthening social protection systems worldwide. International cooperation is essential in order for developing States to overcome the various resource, institutional and technical limitations that they face in delivering social protection. 56. International assistance has, so far, been largely directed towards microcredit and job-creating programmes. The creation of social protection schemes should also be an objective of international aid, as it helps protect the core human rights of those who cannot generate income through work or benefit from work-related social security schemes. VI. Adopting a human rights-based approach to social protection systems 57. A national social protection strategy cannot be considered in isolation from human rights commitments. This section illustrates how human rights are relevant to social protection and discusses some of the implications for the design and implementation of social protection schemes. When choosing the appropriate social protection system for a State, the human rights commitments discussed below should be taken into account. __________________ 29 14 See CESCR general comment No. 3, para. 12; general comment No. 12, para. 28; general comment No. 14, para. 18; and general comment No. 19, paras. 40-42. 09-45276