Argentina must manage its abundant resources to defend human rights and avoid setbacks, says expert

The UN independent expert on the consequences of foreign debt on the enjoyment of human rights*Attiya Waris, visited Argentina to assess how the collection and redistribution of fiscal resources can contribute to fiscal legitimacy and the progressive realization of fundamental guarantees, with a focus on inclusion and protection of the diversity of the population, as well as protection of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Waris highlighted the capacity for resistance that the South American country has shown over the last four decades to a chronic debt situation while advancing in democratic processes, the defense of human rights and the strengthening of social services.

“Despite being a great responsibility, the Argentine State must be commended for respecting the past debt, and must not only use existing resources to fulfill its human rights obligations, but also generate potential resources sustainably, when the former are not enough. Social services have a long tradition in the country and have been respected by successive governments. Assuming foreign debt in good faith at the federal and provincial levels could be seen as a way of mobilizing resources and maintaining an economy that allows for the progressive realization of human rights”, pointed out the expert in her preliminary remarks.

However, he considered that the cycle of public indebtedness that the country has assumed has not resulted in an increase in investment in human rightss nor in the recovery of means of subsistence, although it has been useful to maintain economic stability.

Borrowing to pay off debt

He explained that the current debt has been taken to pay off previous debtand that funds enter and leave the treasury, prolonging the payment period without generating benefits for the people.

“The surcharges that Argentina has had to pay in relation to the international public debt have more than doubled the cost of the agreements, thus depleting the country’s resources that could be used to support public policies and programs aimed at protecting and promoting human rights,” he said.

In this sense, he urged Argentina to maximize your resources to defend gained ground on human rights and prevent any backsliding.

“Argentina has abundant human and natural resources, and if they are well managed, they should help the State go a long way in fulfilling its human rights obligations through the pluralism and inclusionWaris stated.

At the end of her ten-day visit, the expert stressed that it is key rebuild people’s trust in Argentine institutions and the nation’s resources.

“The State must lead by adjusting public policies that lead to the realization of the human rights of the entire population”, he insisted.

High level of poverty

The expert expressed concern about the decrease in the standard of living of Argentines during the last five years and specified that between 2017 and 2020 the population living below the poverty line exceeded 40% and that of this universe, 50.9% are children under 14 years of age. In addition, the richest 20% of the population accumulates half of the total income.

“The situation is deteriorating day by day due to disproportionate rates of inflationthe implementation of large projects, the practice of multiple exchange rates and a regressive tax system, based largely on VAT, which especially affects people living below the poverty line, including indigenous communities ”, he warned.

To this are added the constant budget cuts to education and housing programs and the absence of structured support for indigenous communities.

Regarding gender equality, Waris indicated that despite the fact that the authorities are making an effort in this direction, the gender pay gap and the disparity in women’s participation in the labor market persistas well as in state institutions.

Rendering of accounts for the acquisition of public debt

On the other hand, he deplored the impunity with respect to public indebtedness and argued that those responsible for taking on unsustainable debt should be held accountable.

Waris also spoke in favor of the repatriation of state assets and argued that projects to generate income and pay off debt should have the informed and participatory consent of the people.

The expert also advocated establish a truth-seeking mechanism to investigate the history of the country’s debt and disseminate the results among the population.

“Argentina’s debt problem dates back to the times of the dictatorship, through several different administrations. However, despite the State’s efforts to offer reparations to victims of human rights violations committed during the dictatorship, it is surprising that a similar truth-seeking process has not been established to deal with the history of debt. of the country,” Waris pointed out.

The expert will present a report with her conclusions and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in March 2023.

* The special rapporteurs and independent experts are part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name for the independent investigation and monitoring mechanisms established by the Council to address specific country situations or thematic issues around the world. The experts of the Special Procedures work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government and organization and act in their individual capacity.