Throughout July, the Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR Centre) and Cartooning for Peace are presenting an exhibition on Quai Wilson in Geneva to mark the 60th anniversary of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966, the ICCPR remains one of the fundamental instruments of the international human rights system. It obliges its 175 States parties to respect and guarantee a wide range of civil and political rights, including the right to life, the prohibition of torture, freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial and the right to political participation. Six decades after its adoption, this anniversary provides an opportunity to assess the achievements of the Covenant, acknowledge the shortcomings in its implementation and reaffirm the enduring relevance of its legal obligations. It also comes at a time when civil and political rights are under increasing pressure globally, including restrictions targeting civil society, journalists and human rights defenders, as well as concerns regarding digital surveillance, arbitrary detention and violations of procedural safeguards.
This exhibition, organised by Cartooning for Peace in partnership with the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation, features legal texts and political cartoons from around the world that challenge and defend fundamental rights and freedoms. It aims to make the Covenant more accessible, engaging and understandable to a wide audience. It is supported by the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
To complement the exhibition, the CCPR Centre is publishing a book that brings together legal analyses, statistical data, historical accounts and visual contributions from renowned artists, with the aim of creating a space conducive to reflection and critical engagement.
