On 16 December 1966, the United Nations General Assembly, by 106 votes to none adopted the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights 1966 under which each State Party undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within it’s territory and subject to it’s jurisdiction the rights recognized in the Covenant without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Among the rights recognized in the Covenant are the right of all peoples to self-determination; the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of civil and political rights; the right to life; protection from torture and from cruelty; inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; protection from slavery; the right to liberty and security of person; the right, when deprived of liberty, to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person; the right to liberty of movement within the territory of a State; the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; the right to hold opinions without interference; the right of peaceful assembly; the right to freedom of association; the right to protection of the family and children and the right for the protection of minorities. Continue reading International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights 1966