Full text of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (A/RES/54/4)
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The preamble is the introductory part of the Protocol which sets out the object and
purpose of the Protocol. It refers to the principles of equality and
non-discrimination as embodied in the 缅北禁地Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, and other international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It reaffirms the
determination of States parties which adopt the protocol to ensure the full and equal
enjoyment by women of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to take effective
action to prevent violations of these rights and freedoms.
Article 1
Establishes that States who become parties to the optional protocol recognise the
competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications under the protocol.
Article 2
Provides a Communications Procedure which allows either individuals or groups of
individuals to submit individual complaints to the Committee. Communications may
also be submitted on behalf of individuals or groups of individuals, with their consent,
unless it can be shown why that consent was not received.
Article 3
Establishes that a communication will only be considered by the Committee if it concerns a
acountry that has become party to the protocol. In addition, a communication must be
submitted in writing and may not be anonymous.
Article 4
Stipulates admissibility criteria of communications. Before a complaint is
considered, the Committee must determine that all available domestic remedies have been
exhausted and the complaint is not, nor has been examined by the Committee or has been or
is being examined under another procedure of international investigation or settlement.
In addition, a complaint will only be admissible provided the complaint is
compatible with the provisions of the Convention; is not an abuse of the right to submit a
communication; the claimants' allegations can be substantiated, and the facts presented
occurred after the State party ratified the Protocol.
Article 5
After receipt of a communication and prior to its final decision, the
Committee has the option of contacting the State Party with an urgent request that the
State Party take steps to protect the alleged victim or victims from irreparable harm.
Article 6
Establishes the communications procedure. Where a communication has been found admissible,
the Committee will confidentially bring a communication to the attention of the State
Party, provided the complaint has consented to disclosure of their identity to the State
Party. The State Party is given six months to provide a written explanation or statement
to the complaint.
Article 7
Outlines the process of complaint consideration. The Committee will examine and consider
all information provided by a complaint in closed meetings. The Committee's views and
recommendations will be transmitted to the parties concerned. The State Party has six
months to consider the views of the Committee and provide a written response, including
remedial steps taken. The Committee may request further information from the State Party,
including in subsequent reports.
Article 8
Establishes an inquiry procedure that allows the Committee to initiate a confidential
investigation by one or more of its members where it has received reliable information of
grave or systematic violations by a State Party of rights established in the Convention.
Where warranted and with the consent of the State Party, the Committee may visit the
territory of the State Party. Any findings, comments or recommendations will be
transmitted to the State Party concerned, to which it may respond within six months.
Article 9
Establishes a follow-up procedure for the Committee. After the six-month period
referred to in article 8, the State Party may be invited to provide the Committee with
details of any remedial efforts taken following an inquiry. Details may also be provided
in the State Party report to the Committee under article 18 of the Convention.
Article 10
Provides an opt-out clause. At ratification of the Optional Protocol, a State Party has
the option of refusing to recognize the competence of the Committee to initiate and
conduct an inquiry as established under articles 8 and 9. However, this declaration may be
withdrawn at a later time.
Article 11
Requires a State Party to ensure the protection of those submitting
communications.
Article 12
A summary of the Committee's activities relating to the Protocol will be included under
article 21 of the Convention.
Article 13
Establishes a requirement that States Parties widely publicize the Convention and its
Protocol and provide access to the views and recommendations of the Committee.
Article 14
Requires the Committee to develop its own rules of procedure when dealing with
communications and inquiries considered in accordance with the Optional Protocol.
Article 15
Governs eligibility for States to sign, ratify or accede to the Protocol. Any State
Party that is party to the Convention may become party to the Protocol.
Article 16
Establishes that a minimum of ten countries must have ratified or
acceded to the Protocol before the Protocol enters into force. The Protocol will enter
into force three months after the 10th ratification or accession.
Article 17
Provides that there shall be no reservations to the Protocol.
Article 18
Establishes procedures for amending the Protocol. Any State Party may suggest
amendments to be sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to be communicated to
all States Parties to the Protocol. If requested by a minimum of one-third of States
Parties, a conference may be convened to discuss and vote on any amendments. With the
support of a two-thirds majority and the General Assembly, an amendment comes into force
and is binding on States that have accepted the amendments.
Article 19
Provides for a State Party to withdraw from the Protocol by written notification to the
Secretary-General. Withdrawal will not impact any communications submitted prior to the
effective date of withdrawal.
Article 20
States that the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inforrn States of
signatures, ratifications and accessions, the date the Protocol comes into force and any
amendments and withdrawals.
Article 21
Provides that the Protocol will be deposited in the United Nations archives, made
available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish and sent to all States
Parties by the Secretary General.
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