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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 © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
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