ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some general comments, definitions, and meanings of rights-based approaches before exploring rights-based approaches to specific social work fields and populations. The way that human rights practice has been conceptualized is primarily a means of legal practice, reflecting the prominence of the field of law. The chapter reviews a few of similar models of social work practice to illustrate how rights-based approaches build upon and supplement previous models, and to emphasize how rights-based approaches make a unique and new contribution to social work practice. Rights-based approaches to micro practice tend to emphasize a macro component that complements clinical interventions. Rights-based approaches to macro practice also encompass the global dimension of international institutions, cooperation, and conflict. The chapter presents a theoretical framework for rights-based practice that applies across levels of social work practice. Transparency refers to violations of rights and to the responsibility to protect rights.
