The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1. An Overview: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights All human rights whether it is civil and political rights or economic, social and cultural rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. We have been mainly concerned about the civil and political rights but we should simultaneously give priority to the economic, social and cultural rights which have already been recognized and emphasized in various international, regional and national instruments. As mentioned, rights are ‘indivisible and interdependent’ and we must not treat some as more important than others. In particular, economic, social and cultural rights are not subordinate to civil and political rights, or vice versa. Internationally recognized human rights are those included in the International Bill of Human Rights or those elaborated in subsequent instruments adopted by the UN General Assembly. The International Bill includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948, and the two Covenants adopted on the basis of that Declaration, that is, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Economic, Social and Cultural Rights encompasses three interrelated components of a more comprehensive package. The different components also have links to civil and political rights. At the core of social rights is the right to an adequate standard of living (Article 25 of UDHR, Article 11 of ICESCR, and Article 27 of CRC). The enjoyment of this right requires, at a minimum, that everyone shall enjoy the necessary subsistence rights—adequate food and nutrition rights, clothing, housing and the necessary conditions of care. Closely related to this right is the right of families to assistance (Article 10 of ICESCR, Article 27 of CRC). With a view to enjoying these social rights, there is also a need to enjoy certain economic rights such as the right to property (Article 17 of UDHR), the right to work (Article 23 of UDHR, Article 6 of ICESCR), the right to social security (Articles 22 and 25 of UDHR, Article 9 of ICESCR, and Article 26 of CRC). 1