Switzerland

Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR)

The Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) envisions the full realisation of the rights proclaimed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and its two Optional Protocols at the universal level. This includes the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, which abolishes the death penalty.
The CCPR aims to fulfil that vision by facilitating the application of the ICCPR and promoting the implementation of recommendations by the UN Human Rights Committee, mainly through engaging with national NGOs. The organisation undertakes workshops, lobbying activities and consultations with NGOs and other relevant national stakeholders.
It also undertakes strategic litigation, review of jurisprudence, and follow-up of individual cases presented for the consideration of the Human Rights Committee under the complaints procedure of the first Optional Protocol of ICCPR.
The organisation comprises a small secretariat of three permanent staff based in Geneva, and regional coordinators who are currently based in West Africa (Togo) and Asia-Pacific (Indonesia).
Its work includes advocating for States that have not ratified the ICCPR, as well as the two Optional Protocols, to take action. The CCPR believes that the UN Human Rights Committee can and should be playing a role to encourage more States to ratify these treaties, and in the case of the Second Optional Protocol, to abolish death penalty.

Date founded

2008

Structure type

NGO