ICCPR First Optional Protocol

Extra complaint routes for Covenant rights

When Covenant rights have been violated and domestic avenues have failed, you can, with support, use an individual communication. Records should be preserved.

How you can use it

1. 1Ask a lawyer or human-rights organisation whether this route is possible.
2. 2Prepare a short timeline, copies of decisions and the remedy you want.
3. 3Ask that records be preserved and that nobody retaliate.

What a violation looks like

The State withholds cooperation, retaliates, or destroys records after someone seeks this protection.

Words you can use

“Please help me use this complaint route and keep my records safe.”

If speaking is hard, write it, draw it, send a message, or ask a trusted adult to say it with you.