PHM-Exch> Toolkit for Action for the OP-ICESCR

[Claudio Schuftan]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: OP Coalition <op-coalition at escr-net.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Subject: Toolkit for Action for the OP-ICESCR
To: cschuftan at phmovement.org


     [image: Justice_now__ratify_to_protect_all_human_rights]

*Version français suivra dans un autre email*
*La versión en español ha sido enviada por separado*

Dear colleagues,

The NGO Coalition for an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is glad to announce the launch of the

Toolkit for Action<http://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1dd3935e580229c572c17de3e1137576?pa=2748797263>

for the

Optional Protocol to the International Covenant

on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The toolkit was created for NGO and other civil society groups as well as
States, to facilitate international and national advocacy work to support
the ratification of the Protocol and the implementation of economic, social
and cultural rights nationally.

*The Toolkit includes four Booklets:*

Booklet 1: *Refreshing Your Knowledge about the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights* explains the content of the Covenant
that the Optional Protocol seeks to enforce. It explains ESCR, States’
obligations under the Covenant, the role of the Committee and the challenges
related to implementing and enforcing ESCR.

Booklet 2: *Overview: The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights* describes the procedures and
mechanisms introduced by the Optional Protocol, the signature and
ratification process and the competence of the Committee to receive and
consider complaints against States Parties.

Booklet 3: *Why Should States Ratify the Optional Protocol to the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?* outlines
some of the key incentives for States to ratify and implement the Optional
Protocol. It challenges the myths contesting the justiciability of ESCR and
offers tools to advocate for ratification and domestic implementation of the
Optional Protocol.

Booklet 4: *Tools to Lobby Your Country and Advocate for the Ratification
and Implementation of the Optional Protocol* provides information, resources
and templates to assist you in lobbying for the ratification and
implementation of the Optional Protocol.

We are now sharing<http://go.madmimi.com/redirects/cd7f447a6adad0f79d5d823b14ca19ff?pa=2748797263>the
*English* versions of the Toolkit. *Spanish*, *French* and *Arabic* versions
will be available shortly.

*Why an Optional Protocol?*

Millions of people around the world suffer violations on their economic,
social and cultural rights, including abuses of the rights to adequate
housing, food, water, sanitation, health, work and education. Many of them
find no mechanisms within their countries to address these violations and up
to now there was no procedure at the International level to claim violations
of these rights. However, once in force, the Optional Protocol will enable
victims of violations of the rights protected in the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, who are unable to find remedies
within their own countries, to seek justice within the United Nations.

The Optional Protocol will also help to improve or enhance existing national
complaints mechanisms for victims of violations on ESCR, and motivate States
to comply more fully with the obligations imposed by the Covenant.

The Protocol includes three procedures:

*1.* Communications procedures of individuals or groups of individuals
claiming violations of the rights of the Covenant

*2.* Inquiry procedures when the Committee (the body in charge of analyzing
cases under the Protocol) has received reliable information of grave or
systematic violations by a State Party of rights of the Protocol; and

*3.* Inter-State communications when a State Party considers that another
State Party is not fulfilling its obligations under the treaty.

Through the ratification of human rights treaties, States become accountable
to the international community, and declare that they may not invoke the
provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform a
treaty.

*About the Campaign*

The International NGO Coalition for the Optional Protocol to the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights brings
together hundreds of individuals and organizations from around the world who
share the common goal of promoting the ratification and implementation of
the Optional Protocol. The NGO Coalition led civil society efforts towards
the adoption of the Optional Protocol and now focuses on the ratification
and implementation of this Treaty. Through the Campaign for the ratification
and implementation of the OP-ICESCR, Justice NOW! Ratify to Protect all
Human Rights, the NGO Coalition seeks to:

• Secure the entry into force of the Protocol with a large and regionally
diverse number of ratifications/accessions.

• Ensure the effective functioning of the Optional Protocol by: advocating
for the adoption of effective rules of procedure, encouraging the election
of committee members with a strong ESCR background, supporting the
harmonization of national-level systems with the Protocol and working with
the Committee of ESCR and national –level authorities to build awareness and
ensure progressive implementation of the treaty.

• Provide legislation support to ensure appropriate cases reach the
Committee to set a positive precedent.

• Increase awareness of the Optional Protocol and strengthen the capacity of
organizations to use this instrument as an important tool to advance ESCR
work at the national level.

• Expand and strengthen the network of organizations working on the Protocol
and ESCR-related issues.

• Facilitate the involvement of national-level organizations on the
presentation of strategic cases before the Committee on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights and the implementation of decisions.

We welcome your input and feedback and hope to have the opportunity of
working with many of you in support of this important mechanism to bring
justice to victims of ESCR violations. You can contact us at *
ngo-coalition at escr-net.org*

 *Photo Credit: © Private & AI and Liz Ligon*

    ©2011 escr-net | 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 906 | New York, NY | 10017

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