The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Despite their formal legal recognition in a number of international instruments since 1945, economic, social and cultural rights have long been marginalized and ignored as a category of human rights. This is particularly apparent with respect to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, alongside its sister covenant The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This study represents a detailed examination of the origins and development of the ICESCR, drawing in particular upon the work of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The author addresses particular aspects of the Covenant, such as the role of the Committee in the supervision process, the nature of estate obligations, the principle of work discrimination, and the rights to work, to join and form Trade unions, to housing and to food.