“[The Optional Protocol] reaffirms the equal importance of economic, social and cultural
rights with civil and political rights … [it] represents a veritable milestone in the
international human rights system”.
Navanethem Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights1
Strengthening the protection of economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights is a global priority for
Amnesty International (AI). As part of this work AI is promoting wide state ratification of the
Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP
ICESCR).