International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Working together to make human rights a reality for all.
Issues and Resources
Welcome to the Issues and Resources section of the ESCR-Net.org website. Here you will find: 1) a basic introduction to ESCR (including the history of ESCR, main concepts, treaties and enforcement mechanisms); 2) information and links about specific human rights; 3) issue-based materials and information, including those in which ESCR-Net and its Members are actively involved; and 4) resources related to ESCR, including links to mechanisms, standards, and reference sources.
Featured Issues and Resources
Resource Page on the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR
In this page you will find information on the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It includes information on the history of the OP, its meaning and importance, examples on current efforts to support the drafting process of an OP-ICESCR, as well as ways to support and get involved in this important effort.
Resource Page on Trade, Investment, and Human Rights
View the Updated Resource Page on Trade, Investment, and Human Rights. The page includes resources on the World Trade Organization, profiles of organizations working on trade and investment, publications of organizations working on trade and investment, and additional sources of information.
Browse by Areas of Work
About ESCR
Economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) embody essential elements for a life of dignity and freedom, including work, health, education, food, water, housing, social security, healthy environment, and culture. Human rights provide a common framework of universally-recognized values and norms, both to hold state and increasingly non-state actors accountable for violations and to mobilize collective efforts for economic justice, political participation, and equality. More>>
Some ESCR
Would you like to know more about a particular economic, social or cultural right? This section contains information about the minimum core content, international standards and implications of specific economic, social and cultural rights.You will also find links to further information, literature and organizations relating to a particular right. More>>
The Right to Education
The Right to Food
Resources Related to the Protection and Promotion of ESCR
In this section you will find the main treaties and documents of the United Nations relevant to the protection, promotion and defense of economic, social and cultural rights.
United Nations Human Rights System: Treaties, Mechanisms and Documents
The United Nations system is composed of various agencies, treaties and documents Recent reforms at the UN have altered the structure of its human rights enforcement bodies.
Regional Human Rights Documents and Mechanisms
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are not only protected through United Nations international agencies and documents, but through regional bodies and treaties as well.
Issues related to ESCR
This section contains issue-based materials and information, including those in which ESCR-Net and its Members are actively involved.
Resource Page on the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR
In this page you will find information on the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It includes information on the history of the OP, its meaning and importance, examples on current efforts to support the drafting process of an OP-ICESCR, as well as ways to support and get involved in this important effort.
Resource Page on Trade, Investment, and Human Rights
View the Updated Resource Page on Trade, Investment, and Human Rights. The page includes resources on the World Trade Organization, profiles of organizations working on trade and investment, publications of organizations working on trade and investment, and additional sources of information.