Narrow Results

The formula used to determine debt relief to heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) relies on a "one-indicator–one-target" procedure. Debt relief to eligible countries is determined by the gap between the net present value (NPV) of the debt-to-export ratio and the targeted threshold of 150% for that indicator, on the assumption that — by and large — sustainability can be maintained below that threshold. HIPC designers have repeatedly cited Underwood (The sustainability of international debt. Mimeo, Washington, DC: World Bank) in the effort to empirically rationalize the notion that a single threshold of sustainability can be identified for operational use. But it is shown that the identification of such a threshold is quite sensitive to method and data. The case for identifying a single sustainability threshold is considerably weakened when confronted with more recent debt data, with a more accurate definition of debt service problems, and when identified from alternative reference years.

Huge debt from multilateral institutions, countries, and private creditors, unsustainable loans with onerous default conditions, investments that serve to foster political authority, treaties, and trading relations with unequal partners have set the African continent on a course that threatens its human and economic development prospects. While the multilateral relations, treaties, loans, and investments represent major opportunities for African countries to boost growth, reduce poverty, build infrastructures, and broaden economically, they could also constrain developments, and undermine the capacity of poorer African countries to create the conditions for the realization of human rights. It has been established that debt repayment is often carried out at the expense of basic human rights. In addition, debt servicing and harmful conditions linked to loans and debt relief often limit investment in and undermine the provision of essential public services. The study examined the various factors related to human rights, particularly in the context of China’s loans and financial investment in African countries. It delves into specific human rights concerns relating to socioeconomic, cultural, civil, political, and environmental rights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human rights issues arising from China’s engagement with African countries. Human rights have also been adopted as measuring tools to assess, measure, and prevent the impact of financial relations, debt burdens, and assistance.