A Human Rights-based Approach to Data: Leaving No One Behind in the 2030 Development Agenda

In step with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) and its Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) adopted by Heads of State and Government at the United Nations Summit in September 2015 (A/RES/70/1), this note aims to provide general guidance and elements of a common understanding on a Human Rights-Based Approach to Data (HRBAD), with a focus on issues of data collection and disaggregation.

As part of the 2030 Agenda, States explicitly reaffirmed their commitment to international law and emphasized that the Agenda is to be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the rights and obligations of States under international law. They called for leaving no one behind and more systematic data disaggregation to help achieve and measure the goals. As devising (or not) disaggregation of indicators is not a norm or value-neutral exercise, and the risks associated with this operation for the protection of the rights of data subjects cannot be denied, an HRBAD has much to offer in this context.