The ICCPR was adopted by the United Nations in 1966 and came into force in 1976. It is the most extensive human rights treaties as they cover wide range of rights and protect wide range of people. The ICCPR attempts to ensure the protection and promote conditions within the states to allow the enjoyment of civil and political rights.
Among the rights protected under the ICCPR are:
Article 6: Right to life, Article 7: Freedom from torture, Article 8: Right not to be enslaved, Article 18: Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Article 24: Children’s right, Article 25: Right to political participation.
The Optional Protocol to the ICCPR includes to allow victims claiming to be victims of human rights violations to be heard by the Human Rights Committee (HRC) and aiming to abolish death penalty.
States that ratifies ICCPR are obliged to protect and preserve basic human rights enshrined in the treaty. The Covenant acts as international treaty that impose obligation in international law on states.
What are the pros and cons for Malaysia in ratifying the ICCPR?
Stay tuned!