The
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (
ICESCR) is a multilateral
treaty adopted by the
United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966, and in force from 3 January 1976. It commits its parties to work toward the granting of
economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to the
Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories and individuals, including
labour rights and the
right to health, the
right to education, and the
right to an adequate standard of living. As of 2015, the Covenant has 164 parties. A further six countries, including the United States, have signed but not
ratified the Covenant.