International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Definition

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a multilateral treaty that sets out a wide range of civil and political rights, and establishes mechanisms for their protection and enforcement. It is one of the key international human rights treaties, and is closely related to the concepts of the right to privacy, self-determination, and the freedom of ideas, as well as the broader framework of international law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ICCPR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 and entered into force in 1976.
2. The ICCPR requires its State parties to respect and ensure the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights, and rights to due process and a fair trial.
3. The ICCPR is one of the three instruments of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
4. The ICCPR is monitored by the Human Rights Committee, which reviews periodic reports submitted by State parties and can consider individual complaints against State parties that have accepted the Committee's competence.
5. The ICCPR has been ratified by 173 countries, making it one of the most widely ratified international human rights treaties.

Review Questions

• Explain how the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights relates to the concept of the right to privacy.
  • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) explicitly recognizes the right to privacy as a fundamental human right. Article 17 of the ICCPR states that 'no one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation.' This provision protects individuals from arbitrary or unlawful government intrusion into their private lives, and has been interpreted to include protections for personal information, communications, and personal decision-making. The ICCPR's protection of the right to privacy is a key component of its broader framework for safeguarding civil and political rights.
• Describe how the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights relates to the concept of self-determination.
  • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is closely linked to the principle of self-determination. Article 1 of the ICCPR states that 'All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.' This provision recognizes the right of peoples to choose their own political, economic, social, and cultural systems without external interference. The ICCPR's protection of self-determination is a fundamental aspect of its broader mandate to safeguard civil and political rights, as the ability of peoples to freely determine their own affairs is essential for the full realization of those rights.
• Analyze how the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights relates to the concept of the freedom of ideas.
  • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a key international instrument that protects the freedom of ideas as part of its broader framework for safeguarding civil and political rights. Article 19 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to 'hold opinions without interference' and the 'freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds.' This provision establishes protections for the free exchange of ideas, opinions, and information, which is essential for the exercise of other civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom of association. The ICCPR's protection of the freedom of ideas is a crucial component of its role in promoting and protecting human rights at the international level, as the free flow of information and the ability to form and express ideas are fundamental to individual and societal development.

Related terms

Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a landmark document that proclaims the inalienable rights to which all human beings are entitled, forming the basis for the international human rights framework, including the ICCPR.

Optional Protocols to the ICCPR: The Optional Protocols to the ICCPR are additional agreements that provide for procedures addressing individual complaints and the abolition of the death penalty.

Human Rights Committee: The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors the implementation of the ICCPR by its State parties.