ICCPR (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Social Issues)

Context: India recently completed its fourth periodic review by the UN Human Rights Committee under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in Geneva.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

• About: It is a key international human rights treaty, providing a range of protections for civil and political rights.
• Adoption and Enforcement: The Covenant was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1966 and came into force in 1976.
• Part of: The ICCPR, together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, are considered the International Bill of Human Rights.
• Obligations: The ICCPR obligates countries that have ratified the treaty to protect and preserve basic human rights.
• Basic Human Rights Protected:

oThe right to life and human dignity

oEquality before the law

oFreedom of speech, assembly, and association

oReligious freedom and privacy

oFreedom from torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary detention

oGender equality

• Governmental Responsibilities: The Covenant compels governments to take administrative, judicial, and legislative measures to protect the rights enshrined in the treaty and to provide an effective remedy.
• Global Ratification: As of 2024, 174 countries have been party to this Covenant.
• India's Participation: India became a party to the ICCPR in 1979 and has undergone three reviews so far, the last being in 1997.