ESCR-Net

The Optional Protocol to the ICESCR

Dossier and Bibliography for

ESCR-Net’s International Strategy Meeting in Kenya

I.RESOURCE MATERIALS IN ENGLISH:

You will find two selections of documents below: (1) the dossier and (2) the bibliography. The dossier encompasses papers suggested for reading in preparation for the Meeting and you will find them on this CD. The bibliography encompasses complementary readings.

The process towards the adoption of an optional protocol to the ICESCR is still ongoing. We have included here papers on various moments in this process. While some of them are outdated as they do not reflect the most current developments on the OP process, they still provide relevant information.

DOSSIER

  1. International NGO Coalition for an Optional Protocol to the ICESCR.“*New* Concrete Steps on the Way to the Adoption of an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights!” (2008). Available at Last access on November 6, 2008.
  1. Mahon, Claire. “Progress at the Front: The Draft Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,”Human Rights Law Review, Vol. 8, No. 4, (2008). Available at Last access on November 6, 2008.
  1. United Nations General Assembly, Third Committee,” Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”, 63rd Session, A/C.3/63/L.47. Available at .Last access on November 13, 2008.
  1. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. “UN Open-Ended Working Group on the OP-ICESCR,” (2008). Available at: Last access on November 6, 2008.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

GENERAL INFORMATION

  1. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. “UN Open-Ended Working Group on the OP-ICESCR,” (2008). Available at: Last access on November 6, 2008.
  1. Chenwi, Lilian. “First reading of the draft optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,”ESR Review, Vol. 8, N. 4, (2007), 28 pages. Available at: access on September 24, 2008.
  1. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.“An Evaluation of the Obligation to Take Steps to the ‘Maximum of Available Resources’ Under an Optional Protocol to the Covenant,” Economic and Social Council, 38th session, E/C.12/2007/1, (2007), 4 pages. Available at: Last access on September 23, 2008.

4.Scheinin, Martin. “The Proposed OptionalProtocol to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: A Blueprint for UN Human Rights Treaty Body Reform—Without Amending the Existing Treaties,” Human Rights Law Review, Vol. 6, (2006), 12 pages. Available at: Last access on September 25, 2008.

  1. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.“Statement by Ms. Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights to the third session of the Open-Ended WG OP ICESCR, 3rd Session,”(2006). Available at: Last access September 9, 2008.
  1. “Elements for an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,”Commission on Human Rights, 62nd session,E/CN.4/2006/WG.23/2, (2006), 28 pages. Available at: Last access on September 9, 2008.
  1. Sepúlveda,Magdalena.“Obligations of 'international assistance and cooperation' in an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,”
    Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, Vol. 24, No. 2, (2006).
  1. Porter, Bruce.“The Right to be Heard: The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. What's at Stake?” (2005), 8 pages. Available at: Last access on September 24, 2008.
  1. Mahon, Claire.“An Optional Protocol to the ICESC Rights,”CIDESC, Globalization and the future of economic, social and cultural rights, (2005). Available on file at ESCR-Net.
  1. Mahon, Claire. “International Justice for Victims of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Violations,” In: CIDESC, Globalization and the future of economic, social and cultural rights. (2005). Available on file at ESCR-Net.
  1. Mahon, Claire. “NGO perspectives on an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Time to move from discussion to action", In: The Spirit of Nantes: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for all citizens,(2005). Available at Last access on November 6, 2007.
  1. Langford, Malcolm. “The Question of Resources,” COHRE, Housing and ESC Rights Law Quarterly, Vol.1, No.3,(2004), 8pages. Available at: Last access September 9, 2008.
  1. IWRAW Asia-Pacific. “Equality in International Human Rights Treaties: An Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,” IWRAW Occasional Paper Series No. 2, (2004), 28 pages. Available at: Last access on September 9, 2008.
  1. Vandenhole, Wouter. “Completing the UN Complaint Mechanisms for Human Rights Violations Step by Step: Towards a Complaints Procedure Complementing the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,” Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, Vol. 21, No. 3, (2003) pp. 423-462.
  1. Arambulo, Kitty. “Drafting an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Can an Ideal Become a Reality?”University of California Davis Journal of International Law and Policy, Vol. 2, (1996), 27 pages. Available at: Last access on April 14, 2008.
  1. Pronk, Rochus.“Toward an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,”Human Rights Brief, Vol. 2, No. 3, (1995). Available at Last access on September 24, 2008.
  1. Alston, Philip. “No Right to Complain About Being Poor: The Need for an Optional Protocol to the Economic Rights Covenant,” In:The Future of Human Rights Protection in a Changing World: Essays in Honour of Torkel Opsahl, Eide,Asbjorn / Elgesen B.,(eds), Oslo:Norwegian University Press,(1992), p. 79.
  1. Alston,Philip. “Out of the Abyss: The Challenges Confronting the New U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,” Human Rights Quarterly, Vol. 9, (1987).

JUSTICIABILITY OF ESCR

  1. Dennis, Michael J. /Stewart, David P.“Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Should There be an International Complaints Mechanism to Adjudicate the Right to Food, Water, Housing and Health?”American Journal of International Law, Vol. 98,(2004),p. 462. Available at: Last access on April 14, 2008.

OTHER RATIFICATION / IMPLEMENTATION CAMPAIGNS

International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

  1. Disabled Persons International.“ICHRP Implementation Tool Kit,” (2008). Available at: Last access on November 6, 2008.
  1. Disabled Persons International.“ICHRP Ratification Tool Kit,” (2007) Available at: Last access on November 6, 2008.

Optional Protocol tothe UN Convention Against Torture

  1. Association for the Prevention of Torture. “OPCAT Campaign Progress Report: 2004-2007,” (2007), 21 pages. Available at: Last access on September 8, 2008.

Optional Protocol to CEDAW

  1. UNESCO / UNAIDS / UNIFEM. “Passport to Equality,” (2006), 51 pages. Available at: Last access on September 25, 2008.
  1. IWRAW Asia Pacific. “Our Rights are Not Optional: Advocating for the Implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) through its Optional Protocol,” (2005), 75 pages. Introduction available at:

Section A available at:

Section B available at:

Section C available at: Supplemental Materials available at: Last access on September 25, 2008.

  1. Amnesty International. “The Optional Protocol to the Women’s Convention: Enabling Women to Claim Their Rights at the International Level,” (1997), 22 pages. Available at: Last access on September 9, 2008.

Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR

  1. World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. “Campaigning for the Ratification of the Second Optional Protocol,” (2008). Available at: Last access on September 25, 2008.

OP-ICESCR AND THE RIGHT TO FOOD

  1. FIAN. “OP-ICESCR,” (2007). Available at: Last access on September 25, 2008.

OP-ICESCR AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS

  1. IWRAW Asia Pacific.“A Quick Guide to Using the OP to ICESCR Advocacy Kit,” (2004), 52 pages. Available at: Last access on September 9, 2008.
  1. IWRAW Asia Pacific. “Join the OP-ICESCR Campaign!” (2004). Available at: Last access on September 9, 2008.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

  1. ESCR-Net Resource Page on the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR. Available at
  1. Mahon, Claire. “Bibliography of Cases and Materials on ESC Rights,” Available at: Last access on September 9, 2008.

Red-DESC

Protocolo Facultativo del PIDESC

Dossier y bibliografía para la Reunión Internacional sobre Estrategias de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales, y la Asamblea General de la Red-DESC
Nairobi, Kenia

II. MATERIALES EN ESPANOL:

Usted encontrará dos selecciones de documentos abajo: (1) el dossier y (2) la bibliografía. El dossier trae artículos cuya lectura es sugerida en preparación para la reunión y que se encuentran en este CD. La bibliografía incluye un detalle pormenorizado de lecturas complementarias.

El proceso de adopción del Protocolo Facultativo al PIDESC no ha llegado a su fin. Se espera su adopción final por la Asamblea General en diciembre 2008. Incluimos aquí información y documentación de diferentes etapas de este proceso. Algunos de estos documentos están desactualizados. Sin embargo consideramos brindan información importante relacionando con este mecanismo.

DOSSIER

INFORMACIÓN DE CARÁCTER GENERAL

  1. Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas, Tercera Comisión, Sexagésimo tercer período de sesiones, A/C.3/63/L.47. (2008). Disponible en: acceso en 20 de noviembre, 2008.
  1. Coalición Internacional de ONGs por un Protocolo Facultativo al PIDESC. Campaña por la justicia internacional para víctimas de violaciones de los derechos económicos, sociales y culturales. Disponible en
  1. Sepúlveda, Magdalena. “La necesidad de adoptar un Protocolo Facultativo al Pacto Internacional de derechos económicos, sociales y culturales,” (2005), 20 páginas. Disponible en: Último acceso en 9 de septiembre, 2008.

BIBLIOGRAFIA

INFORMACIÓN DE CARÁCTER GENERAL

  1. Página de información de la Red-DESC sobre el Protocolo Facultativo del PIDESC. Disponible en:
  1. Albuquerque, Catarina de. “Elementos para la elaboración de un protocolo facultativo del pacto internacional de derechos económicos, sociales y culturales,” E/CN.4/2006/WG.23/2, (2005), 32 páginas. Disponible en: Último acceso en 9 de septiembre, 2008.
  1. Observatorio DESC. “Campaña por la adopción de un Protocolo Facultativo al PIDESC que permita la presentación de quejas individuales y colectivas,” (2008), 8 páginas. Disponible en: Último acceso en 25 de septiembre, 2008.
  1. Courtis, Christian.“Alcances y Valoraciones sobre el Borrador de Protocolo Facultativo al Pacto Internacional de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales,” (2007). Documento disponible en el servidor de la Red-DESC.
  1. Sepúlveda, Magdalena.“El protocolo facultativo al Pacto Internacional de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales. Estado actual.”CEPAL, Vol. 2, (2007). Documento disponible en el servidor de la Red-DESC.
  1. Comisión de Derechos Humanos,“Observaciones a propósito del proyecto de Protocolo Facultativo del PIDESC,”E/CN.4/2004/WG.23/CRP.6, (2004). Disponible en: Último acceso en 25 de septiembre de 2008.Articulo escrito antes de la quinta sesión.

EL PROTOCOLO FACULTATIVO Y MUJERES

  1. UNESCO / UNIFEM / ONUSIDA. “Pasaporte para la Igualdad,” (2006), 47 páginas. Disponible en: Último acceso en 25 de septiembre de 2008.

Reseau-DESC

DE PROTOCOLE FACULTATIFET LES DROITS ÉCONOMIQUES, SOCIAUX ET CULTURELLES

Dossier et Bibliographie pour la

Réunion Stratégique Internationale sur
les Droits Économiques, Sociaux et Culturels et l'Assemblée Générale du Réseau-DESC

III. DOCUMENTS EN FRANÇAIS:

Vous trouverez deux sélections de documents vers le bas: (1) le dossier et (2) la bibliographie. Au dossier, vou trouverez des articles suggérés pour la réunion. Dans la bibliographie, des lectures complémentaires.

DOSSIER

  1. Assemblée générale des Nations Unies, Troisième Commission, Soixante-troisième session A/C.3/63/L.47. (2008) Disponible en: Dernier accès en 20 novembre, 2008.
  1. Coalition International pour un Protocole au PIDESC. Une initiative mondiale lancée par des individus et des organisations travaillant pour plus de justice sociale. Disponible en: Dernier accès en 20 novembre, 2008.
  1. Fédération Internationale des Droits de l’Homme.“Protocole facultatif au PIDESC,” (2008). Disponible en: Dernier accès en 9 Septembre, 2008.
  1. FIAN. “Protocole Facultatif,” (2008). Disponible en: Dernier acces en 23 Septembre, 2008.
  1. Mahon, Claire. “Nécessité de passer de la discussion à l’action," In: The Spirit of Nantes: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for all citizens (2005). Disponible en: Dernier accès en 6 Decembre, 2008.

BIBLIOGRAPHIE

INFORMATION GÉNÉRAL

  1. Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l’Homme. “Avis sur le protocole facultatif se rapportant au Pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels,” (2008), 2 pages. Disponible en: Dernier accès en 9 Septembre, 2008.
  1. Coalition des ONG pour un Protocole Facultatif au Pacte International relatif aux Droits Economiques, Sociaux et Culturels. “Kit pour le Plaidoyer,” (2006), 56 pages. Disponible en: Dernier acces en 23 Septembre, 2008.
  1. Olivier de Schutter. “Le protocole facultatif au pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels,”Revue Belge de droit international, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp 7-56,(2006).
  1. “Éléments a faire figurer dans un protocole facultatif se rappartant au Pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels,”UN Doc. E/CN.4/2006/WG.23/2, (2005). Disponible en: Dernier acces en 9 Septembre, 2008.
  1. Commission des Droits de l’Homme.“Prise de position commune des organisations non-gouvernementales, institutions des droits humains et groupements de la société civile concernant les délibérations du groupe de travail inter-sessions de la commission des droits humains établien vue de considérer les options au projet de protocole facultatif se rapportant au pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels,”E/CN.4/2004/WG.23/CRP.3, (2004) 26 pages. Disponible en: Dernier acces en 25 Septembre, 2008.

CAMPAGNE POUR LA RATIFICATION DU PROTOCOLE 2 AU PACTE INTERNATIONAL RELATIF AUX DROITS CIVILS ET POLITIQUES

  1. Coalition Mondiale Contre le Peine de Mort. “Une Campagne Mondiale pour la Ratification du Protocole 2,” (2008). Disponible en: Dernier acces en 9 Septembre, 2008.

CAMPAGNE POUR LA RATIFICATION DU PROTOCOLE FACULTATIF A LA CONTENTION SUR L’ÉLIMINATION DE TOUTES LES FORMES DE DISCRIMINATION A L’ÉGARD DES FEMMES

  1. UNESCO / UNIFEM / ONUSIDA. “Passeport pour l’égalité,” (2006). Disponible en: acces en 9 Septembre, 2008.