HISTORY OF THE COVENANTS

The two Covenants were 18 years in the making, following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Originally conceived together, the covenants were separated into their current forms. The drafts were presented to the UN General Assembly in 1954 and adopted in 1966.

Signing of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

19 Dec 1966 – The Covenants are signed in the Trusteeship Council Chamber by Mr. Luis Demetrio Tinoco (Costa Rica), Mr. Zenon Rossides (Cyprus), Mr. Humberto Lopez Villamil (Honduras), Michael Comay (Israel), Mr. E. R. Richardson (Jamaica) and Mr. Salvador P. Lopez (Philippines). Source: UN Video Archives

Adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

16 Dec 1966 – General Assembly, 21st Session, 1496th Plenary Meeting. Statement by Mr. Abdul Rahman Pazhwak (Afghanistan, President of the General Assembly). The texts of the draft covenants are put to the vote and adopted unanimously. The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is adopted by 66 votes to two, with 38 abstentions. Statement by U Thant (UN Secretary-General). Source: UN Video Archives