Next step taken in breakthrough process of protecting human rights
New York/Heidelberg 25.11.2008- Following the breakthroughs in April 2008 and June 2008 where the working group, and more importantly the Human Rights Council, approved the text of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the next hurdle in this process has been overcome.
On November 18th, 2008, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly approved, by consensus, the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR (OP-ICESCR). The very last step in this long-awaited process will be the definitive adoption of the resolution bearing the OP-ICESCR in the plenary session of the UN General Assembly on December 10th- Human Rights Day. Once finally adopted on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the OP-ICESCR will be open for signature and ratification by States.
If the OP-ICESCR is adopted, it would allow individuals whose ESC Rights have been violated to bring their case to the scrutiny of the relevant UN body. Amongst these ESC Rights is the right to food; thus the ratification of the OP would allow those who have been denied their right to food to lodge a complaint. The adoption of the Optional Protocol will have repercussions on national jurisdiction and help strengthen the protection of human rights worldwide.
Since 1991, FIAN, the international human rights organization for the right to food, has been supporting the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR. Together with other human rights organizations, FIAN initiated a lobbying alliance for the Optional Protocol that has developed into a worldwide NGO Coalition for the OP-ICESCR. Members are not only NGOs, but also community-based organizations, regional networks, trade unions and individuals. The alliance of forces has proved to be a successful endeavor.
Despite some persisting skeptical voices, FIAN is confident that the International community will prove its resolve to eventually place ESCR on an equal footing with other human rights. FIAN will therefore continue to relentlessly advocate for the adoption of the OP because of its potential to become a powerful tool in the defense of social human rights.