International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Working together to make human rights a reality for all.
Resource Page on the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR
[THIS PAGE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED]
Learn about and Support the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights!
This section includes information on the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR), which was opened for signature on September 24, 2009 and the current efforts to support its signing and subsequent entry into force. The OP-ICESCR allows victims of violations of ESCR to present complaints before a United Nations body, against a state that violates the obligations established in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, if the state has ratified the OP-ICESCR .
The Resource Pages on the OP-ICESCR aim to provide information to NGOs, especially those working at the national level who wish to contribute to the process.
Below you will find an outline of the Resource Pages and the topics it covers. We encourage you to get involved in support of the OP. It is a timely opportunity to contribute to the development of stronger standards and mechanisms for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. Let's make a difference together! 
If you would like to receive & share information on the OP-ICESCR, and to support the ongoing campaign in support of this mechanism, we encourage you to join the OP-ICESCR Now! Campaign leaded by the NGO Coalition for an Optional Protocol.
If you would like to receive information on ESCR justiciability we invite you to subscribe to our e-mail Discussion Group on Adjudication of ESCR.
CONTENT OF THE RESOURCE PAGE ON THE OP-ICESCR:
- Section 1: History of the OP-ICESCR Process
- Section 2: Improving Supervision of the ICESCR: the Optional Protocol
- Section 3: What procedures are included under the OP-ICESR?
- Section 4: What rights of the ICESCR are protected by the OP-ICESCR Procedures?
- Section 5: Background Information on the ICESCR
- Section 6: Benefits of an OP-ICESCR
- Section 7: Lobbying Governments to support the signing and subsequent ratification or accession of the OP-ICESCR
- Section 8: Challenging Misconceptions of the OP-ICESCR
- Section 9: Open-Ended Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the ICECR (OEWG)
- Section 10: Call for Input
- Section 11: Upcoming Activities: Dates to keep in mind
- Section 12: Resources on the OP
- Section 13: Links
Related Resources
Activities and Actions
- Call for Action on the Elections of the Members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by ECOSOC
- JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AND GET INVOLVED!
- JUSTICE NOW! RATIFY TO PROTECT ALL HUMAN RIGHTS
- A Draft for an Optional Protocol to the ICESCR Has Been Approved by Consensus!
Our Work
News
- December 10, 2009: Statement of the International Coalition of NGO on the First Anniversary of the Adoption of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- September 24, 2009: Press Release: Momentous Signing of the Optional Protocol on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the United Nations
- Something to Celebrate: On December 10th, 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR was adopted!
Events
Members Involved
- Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona
- Claire Mahon
- Maria Herminia Graterol Garrido
- International Commission of Jurists (La Comisión Internacional de Juristas), ICJ (CIJ)
- Fédération internationale des droits de l'Homme (International Federation for Human Rights), FIDH
- Food First Information and Action Network, FIAN
- Comisión Colombiana de Juristas(Colombian Commission of Jurists), CCJ