The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 16 December 1966 and entered into force in 1976. Together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it forms the International Bill of Human Rights.
Rights Protected
The ICCPR protects the right to life (Article 6), freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 7), freedom from slavery (Article 8), liberty and security of person, including protection from arbitrary arrest (Article 9), humane treatment in detention (Article 10), freedom of movement (Article 12), the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence (Article 14), the prohibition of retroactive criminal law (Article 15), privacy (Article 17), freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 18), freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19), peaceful assembly (Article 21), association (Article 22), participation in public affairs and elections (Article 25), equality before the law (Article 26) and the rights of minorities (Article 27).
Limitations and Derogations
Many rights may be limited where necessary in a democratic society for purposes such as national security, public order, public health or the rights of others. In a public emergency, states may derogate from certain obligations, but never from non-derogable rights such as the right to life, freedom from torture and the prohibition of retroactive criminal law.
Monitoring
The Human Rights Committee, a body of independent experts, reviews periodic reports from states and issues General Comments interpreting the Covenant.
In Indonesia
Indonesia ratified the ICCPR by Law No. 12 of 2005. Its standards influence criminal procedure, freedom of expression cases, and the Constitutional Court's review of legislation. Everyday examples include the right of a detained person to be brought promptly before a judge and the right to vote in free and fair elections.