Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Constitutions of Transitional Countries: Examples for Tunisia

This paper, presented at Tunisia''s National Consultation on the Constitution by a consultant to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (Tunisia Country Office), explores constitutional provisions from other transitional constitutions pertaining to economic, cultural, and social rights. The transitional constitutions considered are those from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, and South Africa. The paper uses examples from these constitutions to illustrate the ways in which Tunisia could ensure that basic economic, cultural, and social rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. The principles considered include self-determination, nondiscrimination, gender equality, rule of law, progressive realization, maximum of available resources, and international cooperation. The corresponding rights discussed in the paper include those to property, housing, land, water, and environment.
Keywords: Rights/Protections/Freedoms, Human rights, Women''s Rights, Equality, Rights/Protections/Freedom/Freedoms, Right to Self-Determination, Freedom from Discrimination/Anti Discrimination, Socio-economic Rights/Economic Rights/Social Rights, Right to Public/Private Property, Right to Environment, Right to Housing/Shelter. Example.