2. What are economic, social, and
cultural rights
Social Rights
• Core needs for a dignified life
Right to an Adequate Standard of Living
Economic Rights
• Rights to work
• Right to social assistance
• Right to property
• Pre-conditions for enjoyment of social and other rights
Cultural Rights
• Right to education
• Right to participate in one’ own culture
• Right to cultural identity
3. ICESCR - International Covenant on
Economic Social and Cultural Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
1948 (2008 - 60th Anniversary)
• Statement of ideals to underpin a legal text
Divisions and ‘Cold War’ led to preparation
of two separate convenants
• ICCPR – International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights
• ICESCR – International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights
• States unwilling to accept legal obligations in
relation to economic, social and cultural rights
4. ICESCR - International Covenant on
Economic Social and Cultural Rights
Right to self-determination
Equal rights between men and women
Right to work
Right to just and favourable conditions of work
Right of workers to organise and bargain collectively
Right to social security and social insurance
Right to protection and assistance for the family
Right to an adequate standard of living
• Adequate food
• Adequate clothing
• Adequate housing
Right to freedom from hunger
Right to the highest attainable standard of physical and
mental health, including health care
Right to education
Right to culture and benefit from scientific progress
5. ICESCR - International Covenant on
Economic Social and Cultural Rights
1993 Vienna Declaration
• Indivisibility, interdependence and inter-relatedness of
rights endorsed
• Poverty and social exclusion constituted a violation of
human dignity
Limburg Principles
• Immediate Obligations to respect, protect and fulfill
UN Committee on ICESCR
• Monitors compliance of signatory States with the human
rights standards set out in the covenant
• Prepares General Comments to give more substance to
the articles outlined in the ICESCR
