Status of the Convention

Abstract

The Convention was opened for signature in New York on 7 March 1966. On that day it was signed by the representatives of nine Member States-Brazil, Byelorussia, Central African Republic, Greece, Israel, Philippines, Poland, Ukraine and the Soviet Union. Upon signature or upon ratification, many States Parties formulated declarations and reservations regarding different articles of the Convention, mainly Articles 22 and 4. The fact that ten years after the Convention entered into force, optional Article 14 is still not in effect, reflects the reluctance shown by a majority of State Parties to permit individuals and non-governmental organizations to play a role in the implementation of the Convention. The lack of progress in this respect is particularly obvious when compared to the fact that the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights came into force simultaneously with the Covenant.Keywords: civil rights; UN Convention; non-governmental organizations; political rights; State Parties