UNITED
NATIONS
E
Economic and Social
Council
Distr.
GENERAL
E/C.12/1999/5
12 May 1999
Original:
ENGLISH
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL
AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
Twentieth session
Geneva, 26 April-14 May 1999
Agenda item 7
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES ARISING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS:
GENERAL COMMENT 12 (Twentieth session, 1999)
The right to adequate food (art. 11)
Introduction and basic premises
1.
The human right to adequate food is recognized in several instruments
under international law. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights deals more comprehensively than any other instrument with this
right. Pursuant to article 11.1 of the Covenant, States parties recognize
“the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his
family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous
improvement of living conditions”, while pursuant to article 11.2 they
recognize that more immediate and urgent steps may be needed to ensure “the
fundamental right to freedom from hunger and malnutrition”. The human right
to adequate food is of crucial importance for the enjoyment of all rights. It
applies to everyone; thus the reference in Article 11.1 to “himself and his
family” does not imply any limitation upon the applicability of this right to
individuals or to female-headed households.
GE.99-42012
(E)