The ICJ commended the decision of at least nine States to sign the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights when it opens for signature in New York on 24 September 2009.
It called on other States, including those already engaged in procedures aimed toward becoming a party to the Optional Protocol, to follow this example and do its utmost to sign the Optional Protocol on that occasion or soon afterwards, with a view towards its ratification and subsequent entry into force. Once in force, the Optional Protocol would restore the original holistic vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and provide the victims of violations of economic, social and cultural with a means to seek justice at the international level.