United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a key human rights treaty adopted by the United Nations in 1966. It elaborates on civil and political rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right to self-determination and protections for minorities. The ICCPR establishes a Human Rights Committee to review reports from signatory states on their implementation of these rights. It also allows for states to recognize the committee's competence to address inter-state complaints and, through an Optional Protocol, individual complaints of covenant violations. A Second Optional Protocol aims to abolish the death penalty worldwide. The ICCPR, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, forms part of the International Bill of Human Rights.12