The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) is part of the "international bill of rights" that also includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) (1976). Drafts of the CESCR and CCPR were completed in 1953 and 1954. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly reviewed those drafts at its ninth session, in 1954, and voted to publish the drafts, circulate them widely, and solicit worldwide feedback. It also recommended that its Third Committee begin a detailed consideration of the drafts at its tenth session, in 1955. It was not until 1966, however, that a consensus was reached on both covenants. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) was submitted for state approval on December 16, 1966; it entered into force on March 23, 1976, after thirty-five states had ratified it.

Among the rights...