Government challenged to sign rights protocol

ON Thursday representatives of states from around the world will gather to sign an agreement aimed at strengthening the protection of economic, social and cultural rights for individuals.

The new optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights creates a mechanism through which individuals whose rights in areas such as employment, health, housing and education have been violated, and who have not been able to achieve justice in their own countries, can apply to the UN for assistance in finding a resolution.