The 1966

International
Covenant on
Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights
 Part I- the right of all people to self-
determination (Art. 1)

Part II- the obligations and

clauses applicable to Part III (Art.

ICESC 2-5)

Part III- substantive provisions

or “the heart of the covenant”

R (Art.6-15)

Part IV- the system of supervision

by submission of periodic report
which will be scrutinized by the
Economic and Social Council of
UN. (Art. 16-25)

Part V- ratification, process of

amendment. (Art. 26-31)
 Part I

Article 1 ALL PEOPLES HAVE THE RIGHT TO

SELF-DETERMINATION.

 In no case may a people be deprived of its own

subsistence.

 The States Parties to the present covenant shall

promote the realization of the right of self-
determination, and shall respect that right, in
conformity with the provisions of the Charter of
United Nations.
 Part II
EACH STATE PARTY TO THE PRESENT COVENANT
UNDERTAKES:

 to guarantee that the rights will be exercised without

discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth or other status. (art. 2)

 to ensure the equal right of men and women to the

enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights.
(art. 3)
 The States Parties may subject such rights only to
such limitations as are determined by law only in so
far as this may be compatible with the nature of
these rights and solely for the purpose of promoting
the general welfare in a democratic society (art. 4)

 Nothing in the present Covenant may be

interpreted as implying for any State, group or
person any right to engage in any activity or to
perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of
the rights or freedoms recognized herein (art. 5)
 Part III
Article 6-7 THE RIGHT TO WORK

 includes the right of everyone to the opportunity to gain

his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts
 recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just
and favourable conditions of work which ensure:

1. Fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value

2. Safe and healthy working conditions;
3. Equal opportunity for everyone to be promoted in his
employment to an appropriate higher level, subject to no
considerations other than those of seniority and
competence;
4. Rest, leisure and reasonable limitation of working hours and
periodic holidays with pay, as well as remuneration for
public holidays
Article 8 THE RIGHT TO FORM AND JOIN TRADE
UNIONS

 The right of trade unions to function freely subject

to no limitations other than those prescribed by law
and which are necessary in a democratic society
in the interests of national security or public order or
for the protection of the rights and freedoms of
others;

 The right to strike, provided that it is exercised in

conformity with the laws of the particular country.
Article 9 THE RIGHT TO SOCIAL SECURITY,
INCLUDING SOCIAL INSURANCE.

Article 10 THE PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO

THE FAMILY

 special protection must be accorded to mothers during

a reasonable period before and after childbirth. During
such period working mothers should be accorded paid
leave or leave with adequate social security benefits.

 Children and young persons should be protected from

economic and social exploitation.
Article 11 THE RIGHT TO AN ADEQUATE
STANDARD OF LIVING

 the state will take appropriate steps to ensure

adequate food, clothing, housing, and the continuous
improvement of living conditions of each individual and
their families.

Article 12 THE RIGHT TO HEALTH

 the state parties recognize the right of everyone to the

enjoyment of the highest attainable standards of physical
and mental health.
Article 13-14 THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION

 Primary education shall be compulsory and available

free to all;
 Secondary education, technical and vocational, shall
be made generally available and accessible to all
 Higher education shall be made equally accessible to
all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate
means, and in particular by the progressive introduction
of free education;
 Fundamental education shall be encouraged or
intensified as far as possible for those persons who have
not received or completed the whole period of their
primary education.

Article 15 THE RIGHT TO CULTURAL FREEDOMS

Part IV
Article 16-25 States
• It shall be in stages, in accordance
with a programme to be established
by the Economic and Social Council.
Submit reports • It may indicate factors and difficulties
affecting the degree of fulfilment of
obligations under the present
covenant.
Secretary-
General of
UN

transmit copies

Economic
Specialized
and Social Agencies
Council
 Economic
Specialized
Agencies
and Social
Council

Report on the progress made in achieving the observance of the

provisions of the present covenant falling within the scope of their
activities.

Transmit the
Economic reports Commission
and Social on Human
Council Rights

*For study and general recommendation or for information the

reports concerning human rights submitted by the states and
specialized agencies.
 States

May submit comments or

reference to such general Economic
recommendation in any report and Social
of the CHR Council

Specialized
Agencies
 Security
Council

Trusteeship Economic
Council General
and Social
Assembly
Council
of UN

Submit from time to time reports with

The recommendations of a general nature
Secretariat and the summary of the reports
received from the states parties and
specialized agencies on the measures
taken and the progress made by
them.
The
International
Court of
Justice
Part V
Any Secretary- All state
General of
state UN parties
Communicate the
party Propose and proposed
file an amendments with
amendment a request that they
notify him whether
they favor a At least 1/3
conference

AMENDMENTS (adopted The Secretary-

General by a majority of the
Assembly General shall
States Parties present convene the
of UN Submitted and voting at the conference.
for conference)
approval

If approved by the General assembly and accepted by 2/3 majority of

the States Parties, the amendments come into force and shall be
binding to those which have accepted them and the other States
Parties still being bound by the provisions of the Covenant.
THANK YOU!