The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) is composed of 18 independent experts who are elected for a term of four years by States parties. It monitors the implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) by the States parties. The Committee has been established by resolution 1985/17 of the ECOSOC on 28 May 1985 to assume the monitoring duties on the basis of the fourth part of the Convenant.

It meets in Geneva and normally holds two sessions per year, consisting of a three-week plenary and a one-week pre-sessional working group.

Protected main rights of the ICESCR

State reporting and NGOs

Schematic state report procedure

Conceivable actions

For the time being, no individual complaint can be submitted before the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; however, an optional protocol relating to the ICESCR granting the right of individuals or groups to submit communications has been adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 2008. It was opened for signature on 24 September 2009 and will enter into force three months after it has been ratified by ten states.

Reference

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966.

Entry into force: 3 January 1976, in accordance with Article 27.

Link: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htm