Mobilize as many resources as possible
The obligation to use the maximum of
the government must make every effort to
Many countries simply do not have enough
available resources (MAR) means that
collect all taxes and other revenue due it,
of their own resources to fully realize their
a government must do all that it can to
all the while complying with the obligations
people’s rights. The MAR obligation means
mobilize resources within the country
of progressive realization and non-
that where domestic resources are scarce,
in order to have funds available to
discrimination, and ensuring that people
the government must do all it can to
progressively realize ESC rights. While any
have access to the relevant information.
secure international assistance, including
country typically has a range of potential
resources (human, natural, etc.), the
financial resources represented by the
A government may believe that not
taxing the economy heavily will better
Official Development Assistance (ODA) so
as to better be able to realize rights.
realize people’s ESC rights. Human
Incurring debt may also give government
rights obligations do not prohibit
access to additional resources, and thus
governments from pursuing such
should be considered as one means
The MAR obligation means that as long
a course. The MAR obligation does
of complying with MAR. However, it is
as fuller realization of ESC rights requires
mean, however, that if a government
essential to consider carefully the likely
that more government resources be
chooses to go this route, it must be
human rights impact of taking on more
devoted to it, the government must
able to show that this economic
debt. Repayment of the debt can in the
make all possible efforts to raise as much
policy choice has, in fact, been more
longer term cut into the resources available
revenue domestically as it can, without,
effective in realizing people’s ESC
for ESC rights. The terms of the debt (e.g.,
of course, undermining the long-term
rights than a heavier tax regime would
high interest rates) may also have severe
viability of the economy. This means that
have been.
long-term consequences. In addition, it is
government’s budget are key to realizing
ESC rights.
essential to consider the use to be made
of the funds. Will they go to ESC rightsrelated areas? Will they be invested so as
to enhance the productivity of society in
the long term or will they be squandered?