Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) is the body of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by its State parties. The Covenant enshrines economic, social and cultural rights such as the rights to adequate food, adequate housing, education, health, social security, water and sanitation, and work.
The Committee seeks to develop a constructive dialogue with State parties, determine whether the Covenant’s norms are being applied, and assess how the implementation and enforcement of the Covenant could be improved so all people can enjoy these rights in full.
Resources
States parties reporting
All States parties must report on the measures they have adopted relating to the rights described in the Covenant, and on the progress the State has made in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.
Calendar of country reviews & documentation deadlines
Country-specific information overview
View the database of progress reports by one or more of these criteria.
Calls for input
Contact information
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais Wilson - 52, rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva (Switzerland)
Mailing address:
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 22 917 90 00
Fax: +41 22 917 90 08
E-mail: ohchr-cescr@un.org
Twitter: @UNTreatyBodies
For individual complaints:
Petitions and Inquiries Section
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva
8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Email: ohchr-petitions@un.org
Photo credit: Getty images
Status of ratifications
To date, 171 of the 193 UN Member States have ratified the Covenant. 46 have signed the Optional Protocol.
CESCR ratification, including all declarations and reservations
Optional Protocol ratification, including all declarations and reservations
Others involved
External links
Other organizations
Amnesty International Center for Economic and Social Rights ESCR-NET FIAN FIDH GI-ESCR (The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Human Dignity (French) Human Rights Watch ICJ - ESCR Programme International Disability Alliance (IDA) ITUC (The International Trade Union Confederation) IOM (The International Organization for Migration) OMCT (The World Organisation Against Torture) PWESCR (The Programme on Women’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Right to Education InitiativeNote: OHCHR is not responsible for the content of external websites
General comments
E/C.12/69/R.2: Draft General comment No. 26 (2021) on land and economic, social and cultural rights
General comment No. 25 (2020) on article 15: science and economic, social and cultural rights