LCP4807
Assignment 1
Semester 2 – 2023
Question 1
Critically discuss the enforcement of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and its Optional Protocols. In your answer
also indicate whether the ICESR provides for individual complaints processes
or not. (50)
Enforcement of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR)
The ICESCR was adopted on 16 December 1966 and entered into force in 1976 after
the 35 required ratifications. It has been ratified by 69 countries.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution 2200 A (XXI)) on 16
December 19661 and entered into force on 3 January 1976, after 35 States parties
had ratified it.2 As one of two international treaties that make the ‘International Bill of
Human Rights’ (along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), the ICESCR
provides the legal framework to protect and preserve the most basic economic, social
and cultural rights, including rights relating to work in just and favourable conditions,
to social protection, to an adequate standard of living, to the highest attainable
1 LSE, ‘Centre for Women, Peace + Security < https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/vaw/int/treaty-
bodies/international-covenant-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights/> accessed 13 August 2023.
2 United Nations, ‘United Nations Human Rights Office of The High Commissioner’
<https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cescr> accessed 13 August 2023.
Assignment 1
Semester 2 – 2023
Question 1
Critically discuss the enforcement of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and its Optional Protocols. In your answer
also indicate whether the ICESR provides for individual complaints processes
or not. (50)
Enforcement of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR)
The ICESCR was adopted on 16 December 1966 and entered into force in 1976 after
the 35 required ratifications. It has been ratified by 69 countries.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution 2200 A (XXI)) on 16
December 19661 and entered into force on 3 January 1976, after 35 States parties
had ratified it.2 As one of two international treaties that make the ‘International Bill of
Human Rights’ (along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), the ICESCR
provides the legal framework to protect and preserve the most basic economic, social
and cultural rights, including rights relating to work in just and favourable conditions,
to social protection, to an adequate standard of living, to the highest attainable
1 LSE, ‘Centre for Women, Peace + Security < https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/vaw/int/treaty-
bodies/international-covenant-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights/> accessed 13 August 2023.
2 United Nations, ‘United Nations Human Rights Office of The High Commissioner’
<https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cescr> accessed 13 August 2023.
