ABSTRACT
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 8 reflected the commitment of the richest and most developed countries to undertake efforts to support the achievement of the MDGs through a deployment of resource, medicine and technology transfers in support of developing countries. Thus, it could be seen as a response to human rights obligations emanating from international solidarity and cooperation for human rights. This article investigates the normative and empirical impacts of MDG 8, and in particular the choice
of targets and indicators, on human rights. Although the apparent complementarity or even compatibility of MDGs with human rights principles has been questioned (Nelson 2007; OHCHR 2008), the issue of whether the MDGs offer a useful tool to promote and measure progress on human rights commitments that some have proposed (Alston 2005) acquires particular interest when it comes to MDG 8. A finding that MDG 8 was well aligned with human rights standards would provide a source of inspi-
ration for the further development and precision of the duties of international cooperation by States, whereas a finding to the contrary can still yield valuable insights on guidelines or approaches for the future. This investigation is relevant to the post-2015 MDG intergovernmental deliberations already in
motion. There are growing calls from stakeholders (Statement by Human Rights and Development Organizations 2013; Vienna +20 CSO Declaration 2013) for the new generation of development
Vol. 15, Nos. 2-3, 275-287, https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2014.883371
