The Nature and Scope of States Parties’ Obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

This chapter examines the nature and scope of the obligations of states parties under Parts 1, II, and pl of the Covenant. It deals with introductory matters that have a bearing on the nature of task. These include an overview of common perceptions about economic, social, and cultural rights and a commentary on the principles of interpretation to be used in ascertaining the meaning of the text. The chapter deals with the nature of states parties&s; obligations under the treaty. These include both the general domestic and international obligations provided for in Part II of the Covenant and the specific obligations that is those arising in connection with specific rights implied by the various words and phrases used in Part 111 of the Covenant. The chapter deals with limitations upon, and derogations from, the obligations undertaken by states parties. This involves an analysis of the provisions contained in Articles 4 and 5 and of the Covenant.