Amnesty International Ireland has launched a new report, Bringing ESC Rights Home: Ireland and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, said: “An individual has had the right to complain to the UN for violations of civil and political rights since Ireland ratified the relevant treaty and Optional Protocol in 1989. This same protection does not exist for economic, social and cultural rights. Human rights are indivisible and interdependent and protection of both types of rights is essential and a requirement of Ireland’s obligations under international human rights law.
“Economic, social and cultural rights have limited recognition in Irish law and there are few remedies available if these rights are not upheld. It is vital that people have access to an international remedy in the form of the OP ICESCR. Ratification of the OP ICESCR goes some way in ensuring that economic, social and cultural rights are given protection equal to civil and political rights.”
The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP ICESCR) is an important human rights treaty that allows people to make a complaint to the United Nations if their economic, social and cultural rights such as health, social security or adequate housing are not upheld by the State.
