International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (GA) on 16 December 1966 through GA. Resolution 2200A (XXI), and came into force on 3 January 1976.[1] It commits its parties to work toward the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to all individuals including those living in Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories. The rights include labour rights, the right to health, the right to education, and the right to an adequate standard of living. As of July 2020, the Covenant has 171 parties.[3] A further four countries, including the United States, have signed but not ratified the Covenant.

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International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Parties and signatories to the ICESCR:   signed and ratified   signed but not ratified   neither signed nor ratified
Type	United Nations General Assembly Resolution
Drafted	1954
Signed	16 December 1966[1]
Location	United Nations Headquarters, New York City
Effective	3 January 1976[1]
Signatories	71
Parties	171
Depositary	Secretary-General of the United Nations
Languages	French, English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic[2]
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International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The ICESCR (and its Optional Protocol) is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including the latter's first and second Optional Protocols.[4]

The Covenant is monitored by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.[5]