The International Bill of Human Rights is the collective name for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights describes these three instruments together as the International Bill of Human Rights. They form the central written foundation for modern United Nations human rights law.
Components
The International Bill of Human Rights has three main parts:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted in 1966 and in force from 1976.
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted in 1966 and in force from 1976.
The UDHR is a declaration rather than a treaty. The two covenants are legally binding treaties for states that are party to them.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The UDHR was adopted after the Second World War as a common statement of human rights. It covers civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in broad terms.
Although the UDHR is not itself a treaty, it has had major legal and political influence. It shaped later treaties, national constitutions, regional human rights systems and international advocacy.
Civil and Political Rights
The ICCPR protects civil and political rights. These include rights connected with life, liberty, fair trial, privacy, expression, religion, association, political participation and protection from arbitrary detention.
The Human Rights Committee monitors implementation of the ICCPR by states parties. Some states have also accepted an individual communications procedure under the First Optional Protocol.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The ICESCR covers economic, social and cultural rights, including work, just conditions, trade unions, social security, family protection, adequate standard of living, health, education and cultural participation.
These rights are often discussed through the idea of progressive realisation, meaning that states must take steps towards fulfilment using available resources, while some duties apply immediately.
Relationship Between Rights
The split between two covenants reflected political debates after 1948, but the rights are connected in practice. A person cannot fully enjoy civil and political rights without basic social conditions, and social rights are weakened without participation, accountability and legal protection.
The United Nations often describes human rights as universal, indivisible and interdependent.
Later Treaties
Later human rights treaties built on the International Bill of Human Rights. Examples include the Convention against Torture, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and treaties concerning racial discrimination, discrimination against women, disability rights and enforced disappearance.
See Also
- Human Rights
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
References
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