last updated 24 April 2007

The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR-OP1) entered into force on 23 March 1976. The ICCPR-OP1 provides for a complaint mechanism under which "individuals who claim that any of their rights enumerated in the Covenant have been violated and who have exhausted all available domestic remedies" may file a communication (Art. 2) with the Human Rights Committee. Communications may be filed against states that have ratified both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its Optional Protocol.

As of 19 April 2007, there were 109 States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.