Rights are however of little use if they cannot be claimed, and if a right is violated, those affected must have access to remedial measures. These measures could be proceedings before courts that hear cases of right-to-food violation, or other institutions providing restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition.

  Such functions are usually exercised by national ombudsmen or human rights commissions. And even when such mechanisms are available, people also need information and education on how to access and use them. Here, public legal assistance and help from civil society organizations can be critical.