Human Rights Committee General Comment 28: Equality of Rights between Men and Women

UN Human Rights Committee

General Comment 28, interpreting Article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The Committee has decided to update its general comment on article 3 of the Covenant and to replace general comment No. 4 (thirteenth session, 1981), in the light of  the  experience  it  has  gathered  in  its  activities  over  the  last  20  years.    The  present revision seeks to take account of the important impact of this article on the enjoyment by women of the human rights protected under the Covenant.

Article 3 implies that all human beings should enjoy the rights provided for in the Covenant, on an equal basis and in their totality.  The full effect of this provision is impaired whenever any person is denied the full and equal enjoyment of any right.  Consequently,  States  should ensure  to  men  and  women  equally  the  enjoyment  of  all rights provided for in the Covenant.