Our Everyday Rights – ICESCR
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a United Nations covenant, which protects some of our most fundamental ‘essentials’ rights.
It protects our rights to:
- adequate housing
- affordable, healthy and sufficient food
- an adequate standard of living
- social security
- highest attainable level of physical and mental health
- education, and more.
It came into force internationally in 1973, and will be incorporated into Scots law by 2026.
About ICESCR
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights– full text of the Covenant
- What is the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?– summary of the Covenant from EachOther
- Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: International Legal Obligations – An Explainer– this briefing by Aidan Flegg and Dr Katie Boyle was prepared for the Nuffield Foundation project on ‘Access to Justice For Social Rights: Addressing the Accountability Gap’, led by Dr Katie Boyle, May 2022
- Our Everyday Rights– a video explaining our basic economic, social and cultural rights, from Just Fair
- Introduction to Economic, Social and Cultural Rights– Professor Aoife Nolan explains what economic, social and cultural rights are in this short video for the Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Our International Human Rights: ICESCR with Professor Katie Boyle– a recording of a previous Consortium event, featuring Professor Katie Boyle discussing ICESCR
- Our International Human Rights- Right to Housing- a recording of a previous Consortium event, featuring Professor Katie Boyle discussing housing rights
- Our International Human Rights- Right to Food- a recording of a previous Consortium event, featuring Aidan Flegg discussing the right to food
- Our International Human Rights- Social Security- a recording of a previous Consortium event, featuring Aidan Flegg discussing the right to social security
- The Human Right to Cultural Life in Scotland: Plans, Challenges and Impact, with UN Special Rapporteur Alexandra Xanthaki and Art27 Scotland
- ICESCR– an infographic produced by the Consortium, explaining the Covenant and what it might look like when incorporated into Scots law
ICESCR in Scotland
This treaty will be incorporated into law in Scotland by 2026 through the Scottish Human Rights Bill.
