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

Main rights protected by the ICESCR

Individual complaints (not yet possible)

State reporting and NGOs

Schematic representation of state reporting procedure

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The ICESCR was adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966. It entered into force on 3 January 1976, in accordance with Article 27.

Text of the ICESCR (Website of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)

African States Parties to the ICESCR

As of February 2012, the following African states have ratified the Covenant: