ICESCR: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966 (entered into force 1976)

This Covenant spells out in more detail the economic, social and cultural 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 ICESCR, ICCPR and UDHR are known as the International Bill of Rights. The ICESCR includes the right to work, to just and favorable conditions of work, to form and join trade unions, to family life, to an adequate standard of living, to the highest attainable standard of health, to education, and to take part in cultural life. 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 Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was established in 1987 to monitor the progress of countries towards fully implementing the Covenant. The Committee also formulates General Comments (GC) that clarify what countries must do to comply with the ICESCR.