UNDP implements its human rights for development mandate in more than 100 countries by providing policy advice, technical support, capacity development and knowledge management. This work has been growing steadily over time. It is currently guided by the 2008-2011 Global Human Rights Strengthening Programme (GHRSP).

Recent timeline of UNDP and human rights

• 1997: United Nations reform efforts call on all UN agencies to mainstream human rights into their work.
• 1998: UNDP launches the Global Human Rights Strengthening Programme (HURIST), jointly with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• 1999-2006: HURIST
• 2004: UN Secretary-General launches Action 2 Initiative
• 2004: UNDP expands its human rights network into HuriTALK, the UN-wide knowledge network on human rights policy.
• 2005: UNDP adopts the Practice Note Human Rights in UNDP
• 2008-2011: Global Human Rights Strengthening Programme (GHRSP)

The current global programme

The overall objective of GHRSP is to "fully integrate human rights into UNDP policies, programmes, and processes." At the request of countries, UNDP supports efforts in three key areas:

• Building the capacity of the systems and institutions put in place by nations to promote and protect human rights
• Promoting the use of a human rights-based approach in development programming
• Engaging with international human rights machinery led by the United Nations, forging partnerships with expert institutions

UNDP supports Member States' legal capacity to secure freedoms and also develops policy and practice notes, guidelines, tools and conceptual studies. Along with ongoing support to national capacity building, UNDP is engaged in the Universal Periodic Review process of the UN Human Rights Council.