《公民權利和政治權利國際公約》及其《第一項任擇議定書》於1976年正式生效。截至2010年底,《公民權利和政治權利國際公約》已有167個締約國,其《第二項任擇議定書》於1989年通過。《公民權利和政治權利國際公約》規定:行動自由;法律面前人人平等;公平審判以及無罪推定;思想、良心和宗教自由;意見和言論自由;和平集會;結社自由;參與公共事務和選舉;保護少數民族權益等權利。公約禁止任意剝奪生命;酷刑、殘忍或有辱人格的待遇或處罰;奴役和強迫勞動;任意逮捕或拘留;任意干涉隱私;戰爭宣傳;歧視;鼓吹種族或宗教仇恨。
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its First Optional Protocol entered into force in 1976. The Second Optional Protocol was adopted in 1989. The Covenant deals with such rights as freedom of movement; equality before the law; the right to a fair trial and
presumption of innocence; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of opinion and expression;
peaceful assembly; freedom of association; participation in public affairs and elections; and protection of minority rights. It
prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life; torture, cruel or degrading treatment or punishment; slavery and forced labour;
arbitrary arrest or detention; arbitrary interference with privacy; war propaganda; discrimination; and advocacy of racial or religious hatred.