A/62/214 37. Human rights impact assessment is the process of predicting the potential consequences of a proposed policy, programme or project on the enjoyment of human rights. The objective of the assessment is to inform decision makers and the people likely to be affected so that they can improve the proposal to reduce potential negative effects and increase positive ones. Human rights impact assessment is a relatively recent concept. However, other forms of impact assessment, such as environmental and social impact assessments, are now well-established and routinely undertaken in many countries to evaluate proposed policies, programmes and projects. Similarly, such initiatives, prior to being adopted and implemented, should be assessed for their impact on human rights. 38. The report reviews and then draws key criteria from three pioneering human rights impact assessment initiatives: (a) the Handbook in Human Rights Assessment (2001) of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation; (b) the Rights and Democracy initiative on human rights impact assessment (2007); and (c) the Health rights of women assessment instrument (2006) of the Humanist Committee for Human Rights. 13 The report focuses specifically on the obligation of Governments to undertake impact assessments in order to comply with their obligation to progressively realize human rights. Accordingly, it proposes a methodology specifically suited to assessments of governmental policies, programmes and projects.13 Importantly, the methodology is intended to assess proposed initiatives: it does not consider impact assessments for initiatives that have already been implemented. Of course, developing such a methodology is a complicated undertaking and will require more work and discussion. Comments on the study would be most welcome. 39. In designing a methodology for impact assessments, there are at least two distinct approaches. The first approach is to develop a self-standing methodology for human rights impact assessments, just as has been done for environmental and social impact assessments. The other approach is to develop a methodology for integrating human rights into other existing types of impact assessments. The report proposes the second approach, consistent with mainstreaming human rights into all Government processes. The integration of human rights into existing impact assessments will require interdisciplinary collaboration between human rights professionals, experts in various types of impact assessment and others. The study contributes to this process by providing some human rights considerations and frameworks and by outlining a methodology. 40. The report presents a methodology in two parts. The first part sets out seven general principles for performing a rights-based impact assessment. These are: (a) to use an explicit human rights framework; (b) to aim for progressive realization of human rights; (c) to promote equality and non-discrimination in process and policy; (d) to ensure meaningful participation by all stakeholders; (e) to provide information and protect the right to freely express ideas; (f) to establish mechanisms to hold the State accountable; and (g) to recognize the interdependence of all human rights. 41. The second part of the methodology proposes six steps for integrating the right to health, as a starting point for integrating all human rights, into existing impact assessments. The steps are: (a) to perform a preliminary check on the proposed __________________ 13 07-45379 Some human rights assessments focus on non-governmental actors; for example, see the recent study on impact assessments and business (A/HRC/4/74). 9