ICESCR, Optional Protocol
Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - Wikipedia
The Optional Protocol establishes an individual complaints mechanism for the Covenant similar to those of the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Article 14 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Parties agree to recognise the competence of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to consider complaints from individuals or groups who claim their rights under the Covenant have been violated.[7]
Complainants must have exhausted all domestic remedies, and anonymous complaints and complaints referring to events which occurred before the country concerned joined the Optional Protocol are not permitted.[8]
The committee can request information from and make recommendations to a party.[9]
Parties may also opt to permit the committee to hear complaints from other parties, rather than just individuals.[10]
The Protocol also includes an inquiry mechanism.
Parties may permit the committee to investigate, report on and make recommendations on "grave or systematic violations" of the Covenant.
Parties may opt out of this obligation on signature or ratification.[11]
The Optional Protocol required ten ratifications to come into force.[4]