The time has come to ensure that people denied their economic, social and cultural rights, in particular those living in poverty, are able to access justice.
Only thirty-three states have signed and two states have ratified the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
On 21-22 June 2010, the ICJ in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights organized an Expert Consultation on a proposed Optional Protocol to establish a communication procedure to allow for children who are victims of human rights violations to seek a remedy before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Participants in the meeting included the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Open-Ended Working Group on an Optional Protocol. The UN Open-Ended Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child will next meet in December 2010 to discuss a draft text presently being prepared by the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Open-Ended Working Group, Mr. Drahoslav Stefane.
Switzerland-expert consultation CRC-agenda-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
“Consultations in a War Zone”: Rights Groups File Complaint Against Canadian Firm Over Myanmar’s Kyauk Phyu Port Project
ICJ submission to UN CESCR Committee highlights ICESCR’s applicability in the context and aftermath of armed conflicts
Thailand: ICJ Co-Hosts Parliamentary Seminar on Anti-SLAPP Reform
Thailand: Supreme Court’s Guidance on bad faith cases welcome, despite significant gaps