Friday, May 31, 2013

Пан Ги Мун вдохновлен недавними встречами на африканском континенте


29.05.2013 — Сегодня Генеральный секретарь ООН Пан Ги Мун принял участие в консультациях Совета Безопасности ООН, посвященных ситуации в Демократической Республике Конго (ДРК). После их завершения в беседе с журналистами Пан Ги Мун сказал, что по мере укрепления мира в районе африканских Великих озер открываются огромные возможности в сфере экономического развития.
Пан Ги Мун поделился своими впечатлениями от поездки на прошлой неделе в Африку, которую он назвал «вдохновляющей». Генеральный секретарь начал свое африканское турне в Мозамбике и закончил в столице Эфиопии Аддис-Абебе, где принял участие в праздновании 50-й годовщины Организации африканского единства и Африканского союза.
Центральным моментом этого посещения континента он назвал свою «беспрецедентную совместную с президентом Всемирного банка Джимом Ён Кимом поездку в Демократическую Республику Конго (ДРК), Руанду и Уганду». Эта совместная поездка была направлена на то, чтобы «оказать поддержку осуществлению Рамочного соглашения о мире, безопасности и сотрудничестве для ДРК и региона». 
Генеральный секретарь ООН привел слова своего Специального посланника по региону африканских Великих озер Мэри Робинсон, назвавшей этот документ «Рамочным соглашением надежды». подробнее...

Thursday, May 30, 2013

African Journal of International and Comparative Law

The African Journal of International and Comparative Law provides invaluable material on public or private international and comparative law on a pan-African basis.
Taking ‘Health’ as a Socio-Economic Right Seriously: Is the South African Constitutional Dialogue a Remedy for the American Healthcare System?
Sabrina Germain
South-South Investment Treaties, Transnational Capital and African Peoples
Ibironke T. Odumosu-Ayanu
Where Formal and Informal Justice Meet: Ethiopia's Justice Pluralism
Bruce Baker
A Call for a Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa
Serges Alain Djoyou Kamga
The Right to Health and Constitutional Imperatives for Regulating the Exercise of Pharmaceutical Patent Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa
Poku Adusei
Rwanda's New Intellectual Property Law and Compulsory Licensing for Export Under the WTO: Not Quite a Panacea
Marumo Nkomo
Do the English and South African Criminal Justice Systems Share a ‘Common Purpose’?
Jacob Turner

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Український часопис міжнародного права №1 2013

Cолнцев А.М., Кебурия К.Т. Генезис международно-правового регулирования защиты прав пожилых людей// Український часопис міжнародного права. No. 1. 2013. С. 35-45 ссылка...

Кислицына Н.Ф. Фрагментация международного права в деятельности международных уголовных трибуналов ad hoc / Український часопис міжнародного права. No. 1. 2013. С. 75-79 ссылка...

Конкурс им. Ляхса 2013


Ежегодно команда кафедры международного права Российского университета дружбы народов (РУДН) принимает участие в Европейском раунде Международного конкурса имитации судебных заседаний по международному космическому праву им. Манфреда Ляхса, который в этот раз проводился 8-10 мая 2013 г. в Риме.
Организаторами Европейского раунда по доброй традиции выступают Европейский центр по космическому праву (European Centre for Space Law) в сотрудничестве с Международным институтом по космическому праву (International Institute of Space Law), а также университет страны, где проводится соответствующий раунд. В этом году принимающей стороной стал юридический факультет Университета Рима (Universita degli studi di Roma La Sapienza), учреждённый еще папой Бонифацием VIII в 1303 году. 
В этом году в состав нашей команды, сформированной на базе кафедры международного права, вошли: студент 5 курса Артем Никитенко и студентка 3 курса Ирина Черных. Подготовка к конкурсу (письменный и устный этап) осуществлялась под руководством зам. заведующего кафедрой международного права к.ю.н., доц. А. М. Солнцева. Также нашу команду консультировал Заслуженный юрист Российской Федерации, д.ю.н. профессор Г.П. Жуков. Не остались в стороне и участники прошлогоднего раунда конкурса – аспиранты кафедры международного права – Алесь Клюня и Александра Конева, которые всячески помогали в подготовке письменной части конкурса. 
Участниками конкурса наряду с командой РУДН стали команды университетов из Германии (Institute of Air and Space Law, University of Cologne и Universitat Bremen), Греции (National & Kapodistrian University of Athens), Польши (John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin), Нидерландов (the Institute of Air and Space Law at the Leiden University), Сербии (University of Belgrade), Люксембурга (University of Luxembourg), России (СПбГУ) и т.д. Всего в конкурсе приняли участие 14 команд, включая команду РУДН. 
Судьями традиционно выступили профессор Университета Западной Британии (University of Western Brittany, Institute of law of International Spaces) А. Керрест, Председатель Европейского центра по космическому праву профессор С. Марчизио, глава Правого Департамента Европейского космического агентства д.ю.н. М. Ферраццани.
Финалистами стали команды Люксембурга («лучшая новоприбывшая команда»), вышедшая в финал после упорной борьбы с командой университета Германии (Institute of Air and Space Law, University of Cologne) и Нидерландов, сражавшаяся до этого в полуфинале с командой Греции. По итогам проведения судебного разбирательства межу этими командами судьи, подсчитав результаты, выбрали победителя – команду Университета Лейдена (Нидерланды). Теперь вместе с другими командами-победителями других четырех региональных раундов они отправятся представлять Европу на международный раунд, проведение которого приурочено к ежегодному Коллоквиуму по космическому праву в г. Пекин (Китай). Кроме того судьями были отмечены команды Люксембурга (Runner-Up, Best Newcomer), команда Сербии (Best Oralist) и Германии (Best Oralist). 
В последний день конкурса судьи вместе с участниками посетили Капитолийский музей, находящийся в центре Рима на Капитолийском холме и представляющий собой комплекс художественных галерей. Завершающей нотой стал фуршет, на котором участники, уставшие после двух напряженных дней, смогли пообщаться друг с другом, а также с судьями в спокойной и доброжелательной обстановке.

Jessup Summer School

Jessup Summer School will be starting on July 8 and ending of July 19, 2013.
The price of this year remains unchanged for another year: 10,000 rubles per school, plus 3000 rubles per individual student sent by the school.
Thus, if your school is sending 2 people (the minimum) the total cost is 16,000 rubles, 3 people is 19,000, 4 is 22,000 and 5 (the maximum) is 25,000 rubles.
To register for Jessup Summer School please go to the link below. 
http://pericles.ru/able/jss.php
After your team has been registered you will be sent a password which each member of your team can use to register their own information, or you can register it for them. 
Note: Strict deadline--every member of your team must be registered before July 1 or they will not be admitted to the program. 
Each team member will need to register
1) Their first and last name, mobile telephone number and email
2) Their date and year of birth.
3) Their expected year of graduation.
4) Whether they have participated in the Jessup competition before.
5) The name of the person they will be staying with in Moscow (if any)
6) The address where they will be staying in Moscow
7) The telephone number where they will be staying in Moscow
8) Whether they will be bringing a laptop computer with them (highly recommended)
9) And, if they are under 18 years old, the name and contact information of a parent or legal guardian.
For all the questions please contact Pericles admissions by email admissions@pericles.ru or by phone (495) 649 22 73

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

День освобождения Африки

Ежегодно в мире 25 мая отмечается как День освобождения Африки. Именно в этот день в 1963 г. была создана региональная межправительственная Организация африканского единства (ОАЕ) и был подписан её Устав тридцатью африканскими независимыми государствами.
27 мая 2013 г. в рамках празднования пятидесятилетия со дня создания ОАЕ в Институте Африки РАН состоялась встреча, посвященная «Дню Африки». В мероприятии приняли участие сотрудники Института, послы ряда африканских стран, аккредитованных в Российской Федерации, сотрудники МИД России, преподаватели, аспиранты, студенты из разных вузов. От кафедры международного права РУДН присутствовали: к.ю.н. Аду Никэз, аспиранты Диоманде Дро Хиасинте, Менса Коку Мариус и Самаке Ава, а также студенты Таргет Шумба, Чен Писетх, Жан-Батист Букуру и Мзузури Сулейман Дитопиле.
Заседание открыл директор Института Африки РАН, академик РАН, профессор, доктор исторических наук А.М. Васильев. Далее с приветствием выступил директор Департамента Африки МИД РФ С.Н. Крюков. Он поблагодарил Институт Африки РАН за его вклад научное обоснование и осмысление внешней политики РФ в Африке.
От имени группы Африканских послов выступил Чрезвычайный и Полномочный Посол Республики Мадагаскар, Глава Группы Африканских Послов в Российской Федерации г-н Элуа Альфонса Максима Дув. Господин Посол напомнил собравшимся о роли СССР в борьбе за независимость африканских государств, особенно при принятии Декларации ООН о предоставлении независимости колониальным странам и народам.
Далее слово было предоставлено преподавателю кафедры международного права РУДН, к.ю.н. Аду Яо Никэзу. В своей речи Я.Н. Аду рассказал о вкладе РУДН, включая и кафедру международного права РУДН, в подготовку высококвалифицированных специалистов для стран Африки. В его выступлении должное внимание было уделено сотрудничеству между кафедрой международного права и Институтом Африки РАН. Он, в частности, отметил, что под руководством заведующего кафедрой международного права, эксперта ООН, д.ю.н., проф. А. Х. Абашидзе коллективу кафедры удалось возобновить традицию фундаментальных научных изысканий по африканской проблематике, заложенную проф. И.П. Блищенком, и создать на кафедре African studies.
В докладе д.и.н., в.н.с. Института Африки РАН Урнова А.Ю. был представлен обзор сотрудничества между Россией и Африкой на современном этапе развития. 
Мероприятие завершилось выступлением танцевального коллектива из Кот д’Ивуара и барабанщиков из Бенина, после чего все участники продолжили празднование Дня Африки в неформальной обстановке во время фуршета.

Пан Ги Мун впечатлен успехами руандийских женщин, занимающих больше половины депутатских мест в парламенте страны

24.05.2013 — За последние два десятилетия Руанда добилась заметного прогресса на пути преобразований. Многим беднякам удалось вырваться из тисков нищеты. В стране достигнуты и другие цели, сформулированные в Декларации тысячелетия. Об этом заявил глава ООН на пресс-конференции для журналистов по завершении визита в Руанду, откуда он отправился в Уганду.
«У Руанды есть много достижений, которыми она может поделиться с регионом, континентом и миром. Я особенно впечатлен тем, как лидеры страны расширяют возможности, предоставляемые женщинам»,- сказал Генеральный секретарь в столице страны Кигали, где он побывал вместе с президентом Всемирного банка. 
Пан Ги Мун уточнил, что расширение этих возможностей уже приносит свои плоды. Он сослался на то, что сегодня среди депутатов руандийского парламента женщины составляют 56%, а это больше, чем в любой другой стране мира. 
«Вчера я сказал президенту Полю Кагаме, что впечатлен его лидерством в этом вопросе. Я также сказал ему, что рассчитываю на его лидерство и в оказании помощи в продвижении мира и стабильности в регионе», - подчеркнул Генеральный секретарь ООН в пятницу перед отъездом из страны. 
Пан Ги Мун отметил руандийские проекты по продвижению «зеленой экономики» и устойчивого развития в целом. 
В ходе визита в Руанду Пан Ги Мун посетил мемориальный центр, посвященный жертвам геноцида 1994 года. Он также встретился с бывшими комбатантами в одном из центров реабилитации.
После посещения Руанды глава ООН отправился в Уганду. Затем он прибудет в Аддис-Абебу на первую встречу в формате «11+4» глав африканских государств и правительств, посвященную обзору хода выполнения Рамочного соглашения о мире, безопасности и сотрудничестве для ДРК и региона. Встреча пройдет 26 мая.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Роль международного права во внешней политике Российской Федерации

6 июня 2013 г. (четверг) в 15.00 Факультет международного права ДА МИД России совместно с Российской Ассоциацией международного права и Международно-правовым клубом проводят торжественную конференцию, посвященную 90-летнему юбилею Чрезвычайного и Полномочного посла, заслуженного юриста Российской Федерации, профессора Олегу Николаевичу Хлестову на тему: «Роль международного права во внешней политике Российской Федерации». 
Конференция состоится в актовом зале Дипломатической академии МИД России по адресу: Москва, ул. Остоженка 53/2, м.«Парк культуры».

Friday, May 24, 2013

Россия в современной международной системе координат: новые вызовы и возможности

22 мая 2013 года доцент кафедры международного права Семенова Н.С. приняла участие в Международной научно-практической конференции «Россия в современной международной системе координат: новые вызовы и возможности», организованной Международным институтом государственной службы и управления Российской академии  народного хозяйства и государственной службы при Президенте Российской Федерации. В конференции приняли участия специалисты в области международного права, международных отношений, политологии, экономики, истории и религиоведения.  Семенова Н.С. выступила на секции «Глобализация и Россия: гуманитарное измерение» с докладом на тему: «Роль образования в сохранении традиций, культуры, религии и национальной идентичности народов России».

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Набор на летнюю стажировку в УВКПЧ


Московский офис Старшего советника по правам человека при системе ООН в Российской Федерации приглашает студентов высших учебных заведений пройти практику.
Основные направления деятельности:
Содействие международному сотрудничеству в целях соблюдения прав человека;Стимулирование и координация действий в области прав человека в рамках системы ООН;Содействие и защита эффективной реализации всех прав человека;Оказание помощи в разработке новых стандартов в области прав человека;Содействие ратификации договоров о правах человека.Принятие меры в отношении серьезных нарушений прав человека и предупредительных действий.
Более подробную информацию о нас и нашей деятельности Вы сможете найти по нижеуказанным ссылкам:
Стажировка включает в себя краткосрочное обучение и проходит под присмотром опытного сотрудника нашей организации;
Стажировка должна стать для стажёра и для нашей организации взаимовыгодным сотрудничеством на время прохождения стажировки;
Стажировка предполагает участие лучших студентов и выпускников, поэтому организация устраивает отбор кандидатов.
Анкеты направлять по адресу russia@ohchr.org (для Ольги Саловой).

Односторонние акты государств: вопросы теории и практики

Абашидзе А.Х., Ильяшевич М.В. Односторонние акты государств: вопросы теории и практики. Монография - Воронеж: Наука-Юнипресс, 2013. - 193 с.
ISBN 978-5-4292-0054-5
Впервые в российской науке международного права в рамках исследования проводится всеобъемлющий систематический и комплексный анализ нормативного содержания односторонних актов суверенных государств в целях выявления их значения в системе источников международного права и их роли в между¬народных отношениях. Подробно анализируются существующие в доктрине международного права варианты классификации односторонних актов, и научно обосновывается авторский подход для классификации таких актов. Подробнее...

Международное таможенное право: учебник для магистров

Буваева Н.Э. Международное таможенное право: учебник для магистров / под общ. ред. А.В. Зубача. - М: Издательство Юрайт, 2013. - 376 С.
ISBN 978-5-9916-2333-9
Учебник по международному таможенному праву подготовлен в соответствии с действующими актами международного права, федеральным законодательством России, авторской программой для высших юридических учебных заведений.
Работа содержит систематизированное изложение основ¬ных положений международного таможенного права. В основе анализируемых международных договоров лежат соглашения как универсального, так и регионального характера. Особенное внимание уделено международным договорам, заключенным в рамках СНГ и ЕврАзЭС, в том числе в рамках Таможенного союза ЕврАзЭС.

CESCR adopts Concluding Observations

CESCR adopts Concluding Observations on Reports of Azerbaijan, Denmark, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Rwanda and Togo.

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights concluded its fiftieth session after adopting its concluding observations and recommendations on how Azerbaijan, Denmark, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Rwanda and Togo in compliance with the standards of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
States examined
Concluding Observations
AZERBAIJAN E/C.12/AZE/CO/3
Advanced unedited version E | F | R | S
DENMARK E/C.12/DNK/CO/5
Advanced unedited version E | F | R | S
IRAN E/C.12/IRN/CO/2
Advanced unedited version E | F | R | S
JAMAICA E/C.12/JAM/CO/3-4
Advanced unedited version E | F | R | S
JAPAN E/C.12/JPN/CO/3
Advanced unedited version E | F | R | S
RWANDA E/C.12/RWA/CO/2-4

Advanced unedited version E | F | R | S 
TOGO E/C.12/TGO/CO/1
Advanced unedited version E | F | R | S

CESCR concludes its 50th session

Day 11 (Monday, 13 May 2013)
The Committee, in closed meetings, began the adoption of concluding observations. Adoption of COBs will continue for the remainder of the week. 
In addition to the adoption of COBs, the Bureau held its 3rd meeting before the morning meeting, to discuss issues of importance to its work
At lunchtime members participated in a presentation on forced evictions organised by Amnesty International.
Day 12 (Tuesday, 14 May 2013)
The Committee continued the adoption of concluding observations. 
The Committee also pursued discussions in plenary related to the modalities of "operating" during the upcoming Pre-sessional Working Group, and agreed that, exceptionally, due to the UN holidays and the high number of reports, the working group would work in two parallel "panels" for two out of four days.
During lunchtime, a presentation of the Maastricht Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations of States in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Commentary was made by the two of the drafters of the Commentary (Margot Salomon from LSE and Ian Seiderman from ICJ), following which the members engaged in a Q&A.
Day 13 (Wednesday, 15 May 2013)
The Committee discussed the treaty body strengthening process, and in the afternoon, continued the adoption of the concluding observations. 
In the morning discussions on the Treaty Bodies process focused on the follow-up to the preliminary decision adopted by the Committee at its 49th Session (November 2012) in which the Committee designated a focal point to report back to the 50th Session with a view to facilitating further discussion on the issue. The discussions were also meant to provide input from the Committee to the Vice-Chair, Mr. Kerdoun, who was designated as a participant of the up-coming Meeting of Chairpersons.
Regarding the treaty body strengthening process, Mr. Simon Walker (the Chief of the CPESCR Section) provided an update on the current status of the inter-governmental process (IGP) and the two recent proposals submitted (the Nimble calendar and the Code of conduct). Mr. Walker also recalled the main features of the High Commissioners report on TBS and recommendations emanating therefrom (notably the CRC). Mr. Aslan Abashidze (the Committee focal point) provided information on his research related to the HC strengthening process and the IGP process, highlighting areas that the Committee should further focus on, in anticipation of the outcome of the IGP.
Day 14 (Thursday, 16 May 2013)
The Committee continued - and completed - the adoption of concluding observations in closed meeting. 
In addition to that, the Committee further discussed drafting of general comments, as discussed by the Bureau the day before.
It was agreed that: 
· The drafting of general comments (GC) on just a favourable conditions of work would be pursued for which two rapporteurs were identified; 
· Modalities and/or desirability of working on the general comment on the right to sexual and reproductive health will be further explored - a rapporteur was identified for this task; 
· Other thematic issues of interest which members have expressed the desire to work on have not formally been "tabled" but exploratory work by individual members is welcome.
In addition to the thematic focus, the Committee has also appointed a rapporteur to look into the current structure of the GCs. 
Day 15 (Friday, 17 May 2013)
On Friday, the 50th Session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights concluded its work. 
The Committee adopted the concluding observations related to the reports of Azerbaijan, Denmark, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Rwanda and Togo. 
The Session welcomed three new members and saw the election of a new Chair and Bureau. Meetings with stakeholders took place, with the welcome addition of the ILO presenting Recommendation No. 202 (2012) on Social Protection Floors, as well as a teleconference with one special rapporteur. 
The number of NGOs and visiting groups was considerable for the duration of the Session. Field-based colleagues have also been quite active and excellent cooperation was noted. The two thematic lunchtime briefings, on forced evictions (by AI) and on the Commentary on the Maastricht Principles re ETOs of States in the Area of ESCR, were considered most useful. 
One of most important dates during the Session was the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR on 5 May 2013. The Members welcomed the High Commissioner who briefly addressed the Committee on the occasion of the entry into force of the OP-ICESCR, followed by a statement delivered by the Chairperson. The importance of the EIF of this new instrument was once again highlighted. 
During the Session, the Committee devoted considerable time to discussion of working methods, notably the TBS process, and also devoted to reflection on the development of future general comments. 
A briefing for States was also held and about 30 representatives from Missions in Geneva attended. The briefing was welcomed as an opportunity to engage in discussions related to matters of mutual interest and concern, and will be repeated at the next Session. The opportunity was also used to encourage State to ratify the OP-ICESCR.
Immediately following the Session the Committee will convene for its PSWG (21-24 May) to adopt lists of issues for 10 State party reports, namely: Austria; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; China (incl. Hong Kong and Macao); Djibouti; Egypt; Gabon; Norway and Uzbekistan. 
To read the related press release: 
To see the concluding observations adopted:

О создании специализированных экологических судов для обеспечения эффективной защиты экологических прав граждан


Солнцев А.М., Музалева О.С., Шварова А.С. О создании специализированных экологических судов для обеспечения эффективной защиты экологических прав граждан // Вестник Волгоградской академии МВД России. - Волгоград: ВА МВД России, 2013, №1. - С. 28-35 читать...

Научная дискуссия: вопросы юриспруденции

IX международная заочная научно-практическая конференция "Научная дискуссия: вопросы юриспруденции"

День Африки в Институте Африки РАН


Расширенное заседание Ученого совета Федерального государственного бюджетного учреждения науки Института Африки Российской академии наук, посвященного Дню Африки,  27 мая 2013 г.
Актовый зал ИАфр РАН, Москва, ул. Спиридоновка, д.30/1. Начало в 12-00

  • Приветствие директора ИАфр РАН, академика РАН А. М. Васильева
  • Приветствие представителя МИД РФ
  • Выступление дуаена африканского дипломатического корпуса Чрезвычайного и Полномочного Посла Республики Мадагаскар Элуа Альфонса Максима Дуву
  • Приветствие представителя РУДН к.ю.н. Аду Яо Никеза
  • Научный доклад посла РФ, д.и.н., в.н.с. ИАфр РАН А.Ю. Урнова «Россия и Африка вчера и сегодня»

Киноклуб «Африка показывает»: демонстрация фильма «Белая свадьба» («White Wedding»), режиссера Янн Тернер (ЮАР, 2009). Романтическая комедия, герои которой принадлежат к разным африканским народам и в котором звучат 6 различных официальных языков ЮАР, стала самым популярным фильмом в прокате страны в 2009 г.

Current Issues and Trends in International Law

2nd Internationalyoung researchers Conference on law "Current Issues and Trends in International Law"

Lectures by Brice Dickson


You are cordially invited to attend a series of four lectures and a seminar to be given by Professor Brice Dickson from Queens University Belfast on Human rights and Challenges of the XXI century on 28-30th of May at PFUR. The lectures will be delivered in English.
28/05 – room 347 (main building) - 10.40-13.50 (2 lectures with a break)
29/05 - Museum (see link to the map) - 10.40-13.50 (2 lectures with a break)
30/05 - Museum - 10.00-12.00 – Methodological seminar «Research in the field of human rights».
Professor Brice Dickson is coming to Moscow on an invitation from OHCHR and the Consortium of Russian universities implementing Master’s programs in human rights.

The Third Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent


The Third Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent

Актуальные проблемы организации образовательного процесса в ВУЗе

Актуальные проблемы организации образовательного процесса в ВУЗе

Международное право на евразийском пространстве

Межвузовская научно-практическая конференция "Международное право на евразийском пространстве", Российская правовая академия Министерства Юстиции Российской Федерации

Традиции и новации в системе современного российского права

Международная научно-практическая конференция "Традиции и новации в системе современного российского права", Московский государственный юридический университет им О.Е. Кутафина

Африка в поисках источников мира и развития: Ежегодник - 2013


  • Кажаева О.С. Регулирование космической деятельности в Южной Африке // Африка в поисках источников мира и развития: Ежегодник - 2013: сб. статей / под ред. Н.С. Кирабаева, Л.В. Пономаренко, В.И. Юртаева, Е.А. Долгинова. - М: РУДН, 2013. - С. 99-104 читать...
  • Солнцев А.М., Базадзе Д.М. Субрегиональные механизмы защиты прав человека в Африке // Африка в поисках источников мира и развития: Ежегодник - 2013: сб. статей / под ред. Н.С. Кирабаева, Л.В. Пономаренко, В.И. Юртаева, Е.А. Долгинова. - М: РУДН, 2013. - С. 116-134 читать...
  • Киселева Е.В., Голованов А.С. Международно-правовое регулирование миграции в Африке на субрегиональном уровне: опыт ЭКОВАС и САДК // Африка в поисках источников мира и развития: Ежегодник - 2013: сб. статей / под ред. Н.С. Кирабаева, Л.В. Пономаренко, В.И. Юртаева, Е.А. Долгинова. - М: РУДН, 2013. - С. 216-235 читать...

Вестник РУДН №1, 2013


  • Сираба Д. Основные факторы и обстоятельства, способствовавшие принятию Африканской хартии прав человека и народов // Вестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: юридические науки. - М: РУДН, 2013, №1. - С. 144-153 читать...
  • Исса Б. Дипломатический агент и его неприкосновенность // Вестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: юридические науки. - М: РУДН, 2013, №1. - С. 168-172 читать...
  • Аду Я.Н. Рецензия на книгу А.А. Архангельской "Внешняя политика демократической ЮАР" (М.: ИАфр РАН, 2012) // Вестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: юридические науки. - М: РУДН, 2013, №1. - С. 186-187 читать...

Children being affected for the illegal use of gunpowder and fireworks in Colombia: legal problems

Karen Juliana Quintero Rada Children being affected for the illegal use of gunpowder and fireworks in Colombia: legal problems // Bulletin of Peoples' Friendship University of Russia: series "Law". - M: PFUR, 2013, №1. - С. 162-167 read...

Круглый стол "Опыт участия Общественной палаты РФ в международной деятельности"

24 мая 2013 года в 14:30 в ауд. 354 состоится очередное заседание научно-студенческого кружка по международному праву. В рамках кружка планируется выступление выпускника РУДН, члена Общественной палаты Российской Федерации, председателя Общественного комитета “За открытость правосудия”, кандидата юридических наук Дворникова Дениса Владимировича. Кружок будет посвящен опыту участия Общественной палаты РФ в международной деятельности.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Встреча Президента России с Генеральным секретарём ООН

В ходе встречи состоялся обстоятельный обмен мнениями по основным вопросам международных отношений, в частности подробно обсуждалась проблематика сирийского урегулирования. Владимир Путин изложил Пан Ги Муну российскую позицию по урегулированию ситуации в Сирии. Кроме того, Президент России информировал Генсека ООН о своих контактах с Президентом ЮАР Джейкобом Зумой, Премьер-министром Израиля Биньямином Нетаньяху, Премьер-министром Великобритании Дэвидом Кэмероном, Президентом Египта Мухамедом Мурси.
Владимир Путин и Пан Ги Мун также обменялись мнениями по ситуации на Корейском полуострове и в целом о положении дел в международных отношениях. С обеих сторон была подчеркнута безальтернативность того, что в основе всех миротворческих процессов, в основе урегулирования всех конфликтных ситуаций лежит международное право.
Отдельно обсуждались вопросы развития самой Организации Объединённых Наций. Пан Ги Муна сопровождал Старший советник по правам человека при системе ООН в РФ Ришард Коменда подробнее...

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights holds its 50th session


Day 6 (Monday, 6 May 2013)
On Monday, before proceeding with its formal Session, the Members had a "breakfast gathering" to celebrate the entry into force of the Optional Protocol (on 5 May), this at the invitation of Portugal with the Group of Friends of the OP-ICESCR.
The Committee then began its formal meetings and had briefings by NHRI, NGO and UN partners. During the morning part of the meeting, the High Commissioner addressed the Committee on the occasion of the entry into force of the OP-ICESCR, followed by a statement delivered by the Chairperson. The importance of the entry into force of this new instrument was once again highlighted - see press release...
In the afternoon, the Committee began the consideration of the initial report of Togo, which will continue tomorrow (initial reports are considered over three meetings).
To read the related press release...
Day 7 (Tuesday, 7 May 2013)
On Tuesday, the Committee concluded the review of the initial report of Togo (E/C.12/TGO/1). The high level inter-ministerial delegation was headed by Mrs Leonardina Rita Doris Wilson-de Souza, Minister of Human Rights, Consolidation of Democracy, and Civic Training. The delegation also included the Minister of the Employment and Social Protection, the Minister of Arts and Culture, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNOG, the Attorney General of the Republic, as well as other representatives from the Ministry of Human Rights, Consolidation of Democracy, and Civic Training, the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection, the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Social Action and National Solidarity, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Primary, Secondary Education and Alphabetisation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Production and Fisheries, the Ministry of Economy and Finances, and Togo’s Permanent Mission to UNOG.
The issues discussed during the dialogue between the Committee and the delegation included the following:• The status of the Covenant in the State party’s legal order, the prospect of ratification of the Optional Protocol;
• Legal provisions which are discriminatory against women;
• The impact of measures taken to address harmful practices against women;
• Corruption and insufficient budget allocation to social sectors;
• The impact of mining activities on the environment as well as the respect of mining terms by exploiting companies;
• Situation of persons with disabilities;
• Unemployment and underemployment;
• Conditions of work in the informal economy and in export processing zones;
• Access to justice for victims of violations of work rights;
• Expansion of the coverage of the social security system;
• Child labour and sexual exploitation of children;
• Public health concerns, including high child and maternal mortality
• Poverty;
• Shortage of housing, high percentage of the population living in slums, obstacles to acquisition of housing, lack of security of tenure;
• Limited access to water and sanitation;
• High rates of drop-out, repetition in primary school; the conversion of Ecoles d’Initiative Locale into public schools;
• Ethnic identity and promotion of ethnic languages.Following the conclusion of the dialogue the Committee continued discussion in closed meeting. Issues discussed included working methods, including modalities of adopting the concluding observations, and other matters discussed at the second meeting of the Bureau.
To read the related press release...
Day 8 (Wednesday, 8 May 2013)
The Committee considered the 2nd to 4th periodic reports submitted by Rwanda. The delegation was headed by H. E. Ambassador Soline Nyirahabimana, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. The delegation also included Mr. Gasana, the Deputy Director General, Rwanda Education Board, Ministry of Education (MINEDUC); Mr. Ngirabega, Director General of Clinical Services, Ministry of Health (MINSANTE); and Mr. Rusaganwa, the Principal State Attorney, Ministry of Justice (MINJUST).
The issues discussed during the dialogue between the Committee and the delegation included the following:
• The status of the Covenant in the State party’s legal order and the lack of cases on the direct application of the Covenant by domestic courts and tribunals;
• The prospect of the ratification of the Optional Protocol;
• The lack of full compliance of the National Human Rights Institution with the Paris principles, in particular the lack of independence;
• The application in practice of the anti-discrimination legislation and machinery, in particular for the Batwa; regarding enjoyment of the rights protected by the Covenant;
• Some remaining legal provisions which are discriminatory against women and the practical impact of the gender equality legislation;
• The impact of measures taken to address stereotypes and gender based violence;
• Non-compliance of the legislation on refugees with international standards, including lack of legal protection against refoulement ;
• Non-recognition of the existence of ethnic groups or indigenous peoples;
• Situation of persons with disabilities;
• Unemployment and underemployment;
• High number of persons in the informal sector and their conditions of work;
• Situation of domestic workers;
• Absence of a national minimum wage;
• Sexual harassment in work;
• Expansion of the coverage of the social security system and allowances for maternity leave;
• Land reform and its impact;
• High level of poverty;
• Child labour;
• Access to health care, high child and maternal mortality; and criminalization of abortion;
• Chronic malnourishment of children ;
• Shortage of social housing, access to housing for disadvantaged and marginalized peoples including Batwa;
• Fair compensation of people evicted or expropriated;
• Situation of street children and orphans; corporal punishment;
• High rates of drop-out;
• Ethnic identity and promotion of cultural diversity;
• Promotion of tolerance and understanding among different groups.Following the conclusion of the dialogue the Committee continued discussion in closed meeting. On Friday, 10 May, the Committee will consider the fifth periodic report of Denmark.
To read the related press release...
Day 9 (Friday, 10 May 2013)
During its 17th and 18th meetings on Friday 10 May 2013, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the fifth periodic report of Denmark (E/C.12/DNK/5). The 14 member delegation was headed by H.E. Mr. Wolffhechel, Human Rights Ambassador and Head of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the opening statement by the head of delegation, the Committee held an interactive dialogue, focusing on the following issues:
• Incorporation of the Covenant into domestic legislation, and application of international human rights treaties by courts or parties to a case;
• Reservation to art 7 of Covenant regarding remuneration for public holidays;
• The exclusion of the Faroe Islands in the mandate of the Danish Human Rights Institute;
• The absence of a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation;
• The persistent wage gap between women and men, and the under representation of women in high-ranking posts, especially in academia and the private sector;
• Difficulties faced by women from minority groups in realizing and accessing Covenant rights, in particular regarding education, employment and health care;
• The under representation of persons with disabilities in the labour market;
• The absence of a national minimum wage;
• The level of the basic social assistance allowance paid to persons under 25 years of age;
• The absence of an explicit prohibition of corporal punishment of children in the home and in other care settings in Greenland;
• The significant number of children placed in care outside of their home, including in institutional care;
• The increased risk of poverty for certain population groups, in particular single parent families, families living on State welfare as well as immigrant families;
• Obstacles faced by migrant workers and other disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including the Roma people, in realizing their right to adequate housing;
• The shortage of social housing, including in the Faroe Islands;
• The persistence of homelessness, particularly among the immigrant population;
• Obstacles to accessing health care facilities, goods and services faced by quota refugees, migrants reunified with their family, and undocumented migrants;
• The education of asylum-seeking children in separate schools;
• Performance of children with disabilities in final secondary school exams compared with children without disabilities;
• Non-recognition by the State party of the Thule Tribe of Greenland (the Inughuit) as a distinct indigenous community.Next week, on Monday, the Committee will begin its deliberations on the concluding observations of the State party reports considered during its current session.
To read the related press release...

High Commissioner for Human Rights addresses Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on entry into force of Optional Protocol



The Danish Institute for Human Rights and Non-governmental Organizations Brief Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Denmark and Rwanda
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this morning heard a statement from United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on the occasion of the entry into force on 5 May of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on individual communications. It also heard a briefing from the Danish Institute for Human Rights and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on how Denmark and Rwanda, whose reports are being considered this session, are implementing the provisions of the Covenant. The High Commissioner said the entry into force of the Optional Protocol brought the United Nations full circle on the normative architecture of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By allowing the Committee to receive individual communications a historic gap had been closed and allowed the Committee to undertake inquiries to get to the root causes of violations. The entry into force underlined the importance of treaty body strengthening, and a meeting of the Chairs of the treaty bodies in New York to liaise with States involved in the intergovernmental process would cover important issues. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was ready to support the Committee in its tasks as it helped make the justicability of economic, social and cultural rights a reality. 
Zdzislaw Kedzia, Committee Chairperson, said the introduction of legal remedies in cases of violations of economic, social and cultural rights benefitted rights holders. The Optional Protocol becoming operational allowed victims that had exhausted domestic processes to submit a request to the Committee, and in doing this, allowed it to affect the development of economic, social and cultural rights. Progress on this would depend on ratification and civil society’s role in raising awareness of the protection mechanism could not be overstated. State measures to allow citizens access to the Committee and the implementation of recommendations adopted were also important. The Committee was aware of the enormous responsibility entrusted to it and would do its best to deliver objective, well-reasoned and legally sound decisions.
The Committee also met this morning with the Danish Institute for Human Rights and two NGOs that briefed it on the implementation of the provisions of the Covenant in Denmark and Rwanda, whose reports will be considered by the Committee this week. The initial report of Togo will also be reviewed this week but there were no NGOs present from that country.
On Denmark, the Danish Institute for Human Rights said Denmark had the lowest gap between the rich and the poor, though challenges remained. On disability issues, it was explained that in a number of municipalities the proper procedures were not being followed when cutting back on services. An Expert Committee had been formed to consider further ratification of international human rights instruments. Danish policy on asylum seekers had not changed, and the Institute had suffered some capacity issues due to funding cuts. The Geneva Infant Feeding Association said the Danish rules on the marketing of breast milk substitutes were not up to World Health Organization recommendations and should be amended accordingly.
On Rwanda, the Centre for Reproductive Rights noted that although the Rwandan Government said access to services had increased, only a quarter of women used modern contraception and many others that wanted to access it could not. Significant barriers existed to safe childbirth. Access to abortion was also difficult and stigmatised. Some changes had been underway and were effective; however, Rwanda would miss its Millennium Development Goal target on maternal mortality. The big issue was unsafe abortions.

Statements on the Entry into Force of the Optional Protocol 
NAVI PILLAY, High Commissioner for Human Rights, said with the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the United Nations had come full circle on the normative architecture of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By allowing the Committee to receive individual communications a historic gap had been closed and it addressed the imbalance whereby egregious violations of economic, social and cultural rights had taken place on a daily basis, when similar acts of civil and political rights would be immediately condemned. 
The process also allowed for the Committee to undertake inquiries on rights violations and this would make if possible for it to assist States and stakeholders to get to the root causes of violations. The entry into force underlined the importance of treaty body strengthening, which was needed to ensure the Committee's work received the appropriate support. Later this month the Chairs of the treaty bodies would meet in New York to liaise with States involved in the inter-governmental process, this was an important moment for the treaty bodies to raise their perspective and would cover important issues such as the proposed nimble calendar and draft code of ethics. 
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was ready to support the Committee in its tasks as it helped make the justicability of economic, social and cultural rights a reality. 

ZDZISLAW KEDZIACommittee Chairperson, added that although equal in status the fact that rights were split into two Covenants (civil and political in one, economic, social and cultural rights, the other) had led to a weaker implementation system, whereas now the Optional Protocol closed that gap.
In many national jurisdictions the introduction of legal remedies in cases of violations of economic, social and cultural rights had benefitted rights holders and it was necessary to note the relatively recent advancement of public interest litigation in this regard. These developments would have an utmost importance for the Committee when considering cases. The Committee would also build on the experience of international courts and treaty bodies that had already dealt with claims linked to economic, social and cultural rights. 
Becoming operational allowed victims that had exhausted domestic processes to submit a request to the Committee, Mr. Kedzia said. In doing this the Committee would affect the development of economic, social and cultural rights through its jurisprudence and further clarify the content and applicability of the Covenant’s standards. The Committee would also offer its assessment of the cases put before it, thereby guiding the solution of the related disputes. Progress on this was dependant on ratification, and would have limited impact if ratification was sluggish. Raising awareness about the protection mechanism was essential for making it work and the role of civil society in this could not be overstated. State measures to allow citizens’ access to the Committee and implementation of recommendations adopted after the examination of cases were also important. 
The entry into force of the Protocol offered the Committee new opportunities to carry out its mandate, and it was aware of the enormous responsibility entrusted to it. Its members would do their best to deliver objective, well-reasoned and legally sound decisions. 

Denmark
JONAS CHRISTOFFERSEN, Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, said Denmark had the lowest gap between the rich and the poor, though challenges remained. On disability issues, he said that in a number of municipalities the proper procedures were not being followed when cutting back on services to persons with disabilities. It had been necessary to offer guidance and interventions in a number of these cases. 
An Expert asked about why the municipalities were able to do this and why it was the Institute that was intervening, was there not State guidance and process on the topic? Was there an increase in the number of cases the Institute was dealing with about economic, social and cultural rights? Another Expert asked about migration issues, were there any new developments? Was Denmark likely to ratify the Optional Protocol? Could the Institute be stronger on the follow-up on the Committee's recommendations? 
Mr. Christoffersen said that Denmark had a self-rule policy for the municipalities, and as long as they did not go under a certain standard, it was acceptable to make changes to services. However, an individual assessment was supposed to be completed before changes to the services offered to a person or family were changed, and currently this was not always done. This was an access, discrimination and rule of law issue. He added that the Institute had been monitoring a number of economic, social and cultural rights, and also held responsibilities under the framework of the European Union. 
The Government of Denmark had recently formed an expert committee to consider the ratification of more international human rights legislation, and its recommendations were to be issued around October this year. The basic conditions to become an asylum seeker remained the same. The issues for the country had been the disappearance of unaccompanied minors following registration and the rights of applicants to work, live and have an education outside of the centres accommodating them. A court had recently said that the case with a person staying in a centre for five years was a contravention of the European Charter of Human Rights in relation to freedom of movement. The Institute had suffered a number of cutbacks, though additional grants had been offered, and this had limited its ability to follow-up on the recommendations of the Committee. 
INA VERZIVOLLI, Geneva Infant Feeding Association, said Denmark should engage in the systematic collection of data and statistics on breastfeeding, as was the norm. The Danish rules on the marketing of breast milk substitutes were not up to World Health Organization recommendations and should be amended accordingly. The Committee should make recommendations to support and promote breastfeeding, thereby fully realising the rights of all children to the highest attainable standard of health and adequate nutrition, 
Rwanda
STUART HALFORD, Centre for Reproductive Rights, said although the Rwandan Government had said access to family planning services had increased, only a quarter used modern contraception and many others that wanted to access them could not. Significant barriers existed to safe childbirth, including the fact that there were only 725 doctors for the whole country, and the World Health Organization recommended that the workforce be increased by 140 per cent. One quarter of deaths of women of childbearing age occurred through pregnancy-related issues. Abortion was offered under certain conditions such as rape or ill-health, however a competent court was needed to reinforce the act and many women did not step forward. Also the need for two doctors was particularly onerous in a country that had so few. As a result this intervention was not timely. A new bill was being proposed. Women were routinely arrested and imprisoned for having illegal abortions, often those having sex for money having lost their family in the 1994 genocide. 
An Expert asked for concrete recommendations about how the situation could be practically alleviated? Another wondered how responsive the Rwandan Government had been to the Centre’s work? Rwanda had the highest representation of women in its parliament, what was the impact of these women in policy-making? 
Some changes had been underway in Rwanda, and some of these had been effective. However, Rwanda would miss its Millennium Development Goal target on maternal mortality. The big issue was unsafe abortion, and with so many women dying this needed urgent attention. This high rate was mostly related to the criminalisation of the act, which pushed it underground. The punitive punishment measures were also not helpful. There were strong patriarchal attitudes in the country. The new bill was more about politics than about the issue itself.

A call on States to ratify new instrument to enhance protection of economic, social and cultural rights


A group of United Nations human rights experts today urged world Governments to ratify a key international instrument that allows individuals and groups who have been denied their economic, social and cultural rights to have their claims reviewed directly by a UN committee of experts.
The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which has just entered into force, has been ratified so far by ten pioneering States: Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mongolia, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Uruguay, forming a “club for social justice”.
“This new procedure empowers individuals and groups, regardless of their nationality or migration status, to invoke, among other things, the rights to food, water and sanitation, health, education, housing, work and social security, before the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,” the experts said.
The UN independent experts stressed that the Optional Protocol represents “a major step in the protection and realization of economic, social and cultural rights, and a powerful affirmation that they are as important as civil and political rights, and fundamentally interrelated and interdependent with them.” This new mechanism, they added, gives hope against the impending retrogression inherent in many so-called ‘austerity measures.’ “Such retrogression is incompatible with article 5 of the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights”.
“Case law is living law that gives a name and a face to individual victims,” the experts noted. “It is dynamic and future-oriented and it creates precedent that serves a triple purpose: to provide a tailored remedy in specific situations, concretize the norms so as to facilitate their understanding by public officials and enforcement by domestic courts, and ultimately contribute to the prevention of violations,” the experts added.
“The ‘club for social justice’ will surely grow, as was the case with the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which since its entry into force in 1976 has mandated the Human Rights Committee to register and examine thousands of cases, leading to the adoption of ground-breaking case-law and concrete remedies to the victims,” the experts said.
“We urge Governments worldwide to join this ‘club for social justice’, and call on human rights defenders, national human rights institutions and civil society at large to publicize this new petitions procedure in a concerted effort aiming at the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, so as to advance toward universal participation,” the UN independent experts concluded.
The experts: Raquel ROLNIK, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; Farida SHAHEED, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; Alfred de ZAYAS, Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Kishore SINGH, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Christoph HEYNS, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Olivier De SCHUTTER, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Cephas LUMINA, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights; Maina KIAI, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Anand GROVER, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Margaret SEKAGGYA, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; François CRÉPEAU, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Rita IZSÁK, Independent Expert on minority issues; Pablo De GREIFF, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence; Gulnara SHAHINIAN, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and its consequences; Ben EMMERSON, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism Catarina de ALBUQUERQUE, Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. 

Pillay hails new step in protection of economic, social and cultural rights


The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the chairperson of a key UN Committee have hailed a new human rights mechanism that has just come into force as a major advance in ensuring all rights are protected as envisaged by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 65 years ago.
The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enables people to seek justice when their rights to, for example, food, adequate housing, education or health are violated.
"Egregious violations of economic, social and cultural rights are occurring, often unnoticed, on a daily basis, which in the area of civil and political rights would have been immediately condemned. This Protocol will help to address this imbalance," High Commissioner Navi Pillay said on Monday.
Chair of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee Zdzislaw Kedzia said: “The international community has a good reason to celebrate this vital step towards a better protection of economic, social and cultural rights.”
The Optional Protocol allows the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - the body of UN independent experts that monitors the International Covenant to which the Protocol is attached - to examine complaints from individuals or groups of individuals who have exhausted all attempts to find justice in their own country. 
It also enables the Committee to conduct inquiries if it receives reliable information indicating grave or systematic violations by a State party of any of the rights covered by the Covenant.
"I am confident that these mechanisms will make it possible for the Committee to assist States and other stakeholders to get to the root causes of violations of economic, social and cultural rights," said Pillay. 
The Protocol took effect on 5 May, three months after Uruguay became the required tenth country to ratify it and joined Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mongolia, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain.
Mr Kedzia called on the other States among the 160 that are party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to ratify the Optional Protocol as soon as possible. 
“In a way we are still at the beginning of the road. How fast we will progress on it will depend on all stakeholders,” he said.
Only individuals from countries who have ratified the Protocol can bring complaints to the Committee.
The equivalent Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights came into force 37 years ago (in March 1976), and has been ratified by 114 States.

The full text of the Optional Protocol can be found at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/OPCESCR.aspx

The full text of the provisional rules of procedure under the Optional Protocol can be found at:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/index.htm