The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) is the body of 18 independent experts that oversees implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

All countries are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how economic, social and cultural rights are being implemented. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the countries in the form of “concluding observations”.

Civil society actors, including NGOs and National Human Rights Institutions, have a key role to play in assisting the Committee to fulfil its mandate effectively. The Committee accepts written information from international, regional, national and local organisations as well as national human rights institutions.

Civil society groups have raised human rights and environmental concerns related to Chinese investment overseas to UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights during China’s third periodic reporting process. The Resource Centre has compiled a list of projects associated with adverse human rights and environmental impacts reported by CSOs.

• Asia Pacific: Mandalika urban and tourism infrastructure project (Indonesia)
• East Europe and Central Asia: Tuzla 7 coal-fired power plant project (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Kostolac B2 & B3 coal-fired power plants and coal mine expansion (Serbia)
• Africa: East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline project (Uganda and Tanzania); Karuma Hydropower Project (Uganda); Bauxite and Iron Mining projects (Guinea)
• Latin America: 14 projects include mines, hydroelectric dams, oil fields, trains and animal processing plants in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
• Concerns over working conditions for Chinese workers overseas
• See also, UNCESCR concluding observation and the Chinese government’s response