ICCPR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
1966 (entered into force 1976)

This Covenant spells out in more detail the civil and political rights enumerated earlier in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (see below) and is legally binding on those countries that have ratified it. Together, the ICCPR, ICESCR and UDHR are known as the International Bill of Rights. The ICCPR includes the right to life, to be free from torture and slavery, to liberty and security, to freedom of movement, association, thought, religion and expression, to equality before the law, to privacy, to equality within marriage, and to the enjoyment of culture. It prohibits all forms of discrimination in the enjoyment of these rights, including on the basis of sex, and requires that countries ensure the equal rights of women and men. The Covenant establishes the Human Rights Committee (HRC) to monitor its implementation by considering periodic reports from states parties. In certain circumstances, the HRC may consider complaints from other countries that have ratified the Covenant and from individuals who believe their rights under the Convention have been violated. The HRC also formulates General Comments (GC) that may help to clarify what countries must do to comply with the ICCPR.