The objective of this article is to identify some key dimensions for a human rights-based approach (HRBA) in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) monitoring processes. We aim to highlight not only how this can bring human rights and the MDGs closer to each other, but also how it can contribute to better results in the achievement of the latter. Within this framework, the article describes how a HRBA could contribute to redressing the main weaknesses of the MDGs and gives an overview of good practices and challenges in incorporating a HRBA into the MDG monitoring processes in Latin American and Caribbean countries, with a particular focus on the preparation of MDG reports.