During the 64th session of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, GYA Executive Committee member Koen Vermeir (France) delivered a statement on ‘the right to science’.
The statement was delivered during a day of general discussion on Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. The discussion explored questions relating to the normative content of the right, States’ obligations, limitations and obligations of actors other than States, among others.
The Committee’s rapporteurs for the draft general comment will consider the information obtained as they further develop a document which will be presented to the Committee for reading in closed session and adoption.
The full text of Article 15 reads as follows:
Article 15
(1)(b) The States parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone (b) to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications.
(2) The steps to be taken by the States parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for the conservation, the development and the diffusion of science […].
(3) The States parties to the present Covenant undertake to respect the freedom indispensable for scientific research […].
(4) The States parties to the present Covenant recognize the benefits to be derived from the encouragement and development of international contacts and cooperation in the scientific […] field.
The discussion took place during a plenary meeting at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday 9 October 2018.