A/HRC/15/41 40. B. A revised version of the draft guiding principles should: • Stress the centrality of human dignity and recommend that all measures to address poverty are framed by a comprehensive framework that embraces the principles of universality, indivisibility, interrelatedness and interdependence of all human rights. • Highlight the need to ensure coordination among the various policies, both preventing persons from falling into extreme poverty and addressing the needs and vulnerabilities of persons living in extreme poverty. Recognizing the agency and autonomy of persons living in extreme poverty 41. Individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and the independence of persons living in extreme poverty must be respected and protected. They are too often treated in a paternalistic manner and denied the right to make their own decisions because public authorities often believe they are acting in their best interests. This reinforces the perception that persons living in extreme poverty are part of the problem rather than part of the solution. It prevents them from fulfilling their own potential and increases dependency, thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty. 42. A revised version of the draft guiding principles should: • C. Recommend that poverty reduction initiatives recognize and protect the right of persons living in poverty to make their own decisions, respecting their capacities to fulfil their own potential, their sense of dignity and their right to participate in decisions affecting their life. Recognizing the principles of equality and non-discrimination 43. Extreme poverty is often the consequence of structural and societal discrimination, denying different groups access to resources, opportunities and assets to provide for themselves, as well as the political voice to claim their rights. Groups that are systematically discriminated against on the basis of, inter alia, their ethnicity, race, religion, gender, age, disability and migrant status are more likely to fall into and remain in a situation of extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is often an additional ground for discrimination, exclusion, and marginalization, with both public and private actors reacting to persons and communities in extreme poverty in ways that have the effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field.25 The stigmatization of persons living in extreme poverty including being regarded as “a burden on the State” can prevent them from realizing their rights and ignite violence and hostility, and sometimes even forced displacement. 44. A revised version of the draft guiding principles should: • 25 10 Recognize the principles of equality and non-discrimination as immediate and cross-cutting obligations of States and recommend the introduction of effective legislation prohibiting individual and institutional discrimination against persons on the basis of “race, colour, sex, language, religion, political Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 20, para. 7.