International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights* PREAMBLE The States Parties to the present Covenant, Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Recognizing that these rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person, Recognizing that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his civil and political rights, * Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by United Nations General Assembly resolution no. 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966, and entered into force on January 3, 1976. The Covenant was opened for signature at New York on 19 December 1966. State parties until January 2013: 160. - Law No. (10) of 2007 approving the accession of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 16 July 2007. (Published in the Official Gazette - No. 2800 dated 19 July 2007). - The Kingdom of Bahrain officially joined on 27 September 2007, and entered into force on 27 December 2007 (article 27 paragraph 2). - The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights monitors’ implementation of the International Covenant on by States parties, the Committee has established by a decision of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations No. 1985/17 of 28 May 1985. - The committee consists of 18 independent experts, and holds two sessions per year (May and November) in Geneva. For more information, visit the Committee website: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/ 2 3