ABSTRACT
The ICESCR did not originally have a supervisory body of its own, but rather the implementation of rights were examined by the Working Group within the UN Economic and Social Council, which consisted of 15 governmental representatives of Member States. It was only in 1987 in response to the inadequacies of the Working Group that the Council decided to delegate its responsibilities under the ICESCR to a Committee comprising 18 independent experts who serve in their personal capacity.33 Committee sessions proceed on the basis of a ‘constructive dialogue’ on issues arising from State reports. States are required to submit a report within two years of the Covenant’s entry into force, detailing the progress in implementing ICESCR rights, and thereafter submit a report every five years.34 The tasks of the Committee include the design of an effective system for monitoring States’ performance in the field of economic, social and cultural rights.35
