ABSTRACT This article argues that the impact of economic policy reforms on democratic institutions might compromise the enjoyment of human rights, especially economic, social, and cultural rights (ESC rights). This impact is twofold: First, economic reform policies driven by international and supranational institutions compromise democratic self-determination. Second, economic reform policies driven by the need to reduce public expenditure might put marginalised groups at risk and hamper their democratic participation. Since the realisation of ESC rights requires a framework for legitimate redistributive decisions, any such impairment of democratic institutions poses a risk to the realisation of ESC rights. Courts are unlikely to fully compensate for this risk. The Guiding Principles on Human Rights Impact Assessments of Economic Reforms (the Guiding Principles) devise a way for jointly strengthening human rights and democracy. Crucially, they urge states to subject economic policy reforms to democratic control. Human rights impact assessments may empower the public sphere and shift economic policy reforms from the Arcanum of high-level international negotiations back to democratic processes. Moreover, the Guiding Principles oblige states to design comprehensive and participatory economic policy reforms. The article shows the potential of the Guiding Principles by probing the European Union's response to COVID-19 and suggests improvements.

中文翻译：

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经济政策改革中的人权与民主：审查中的欧洲 COVID-19 反应

摘要 本文认为，经济政策改革对民主制度的影响可能会损害人权的享受，尤其是经济、社会和文化权利（ESC 权利）。这种影响是双重的：首先，由国际和超国家机构推动的经济改革政策损害了民主自决。其次，由减少公共支出的需要驱动的经济改革政策可能会使边缘化群体面临风险并阻碍他们的民主参与。由于 ESC 权利的实现需要一个合法的再分配决策框架，对民主制度的任何此类损害都会对 ESC 权利的实现构成风险。法院不太可能完全补偿这种风险。《经济改革人权影响评估指导原则》（《指导原则》）为共同加强人权和民主设计了一种方法。至关重要的是，他们敦促各国将经济政策改革置于民主控制之下。人权影响评估可能会赋予公共领域权力，并将经济政策改革从高级别国际谈判的奥秘转向民主进程。此外，《指导原则》要求各国设计全面和参与性的经济政策改革。文章通过探讨欧盟对 COVID-19 的反应展示了《指导原则》的潜力，并提出了改进建议。他们敦促各国将经济政策改革置于民主控制之下。人权影响评估可能会赋予公共领域权力，并将经济政策改革从高级别国际谈判的奥秘转向民主进程。此外，《指导原则》要求各国设计全面和参与性的经济政策改革。文章通过探讨欧盟对 COVID-19 的反应展示了《指导原则》的潜力，并提出了改进建议。他们敦促各国将经济政策改革置于民主控制之下。人权影响评估可能会赋予公共领域权力，并将经济政策改革从高级别国际谈判的奥秘转向民主进程。此外，《指导原则》要求各国设计全面和参与性的经济政策改革。文章通过探讨欧盟对 COVID-19 的反应展示了《指导原则》的潜力，并提出了改进建议。