International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)

About

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a pivotal international treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966. It entered into force on March 23, 1976, and has since become a cornerstone of human rights law, providing a legally binding framework for civil and political rights globally. The Covenant emphasizes the inherent dignity and equal rights of all individuals, ensuring freedom from discrimination, the right to life, freedom from torture, and freedom from slavery. The ICCPR protects various rights, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, as well as electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial. It is monitored by the UN Human Rights Committee, which reviews state reports and considers individual complaints. The Covenant forms part of the International Bill of Human Rights, alongside the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. As of June 2024, it has 174 parties, making it a widely accepted standard for human rights protection worldwide.