OBLIGATIONS OF STATES REGARDING THE RIGHT TO FOOD, ACCORDING TO ARTICLE XI OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

In the framework of international law, the right to food is a fundamental right of person towards having sustainable access to food with the quality which responds to his/her food needs. With due respect to the special position of States in international law, it is importance to examine their obligations regarding the right to food. The principal question is that what constitutes the legal basis of such obligations. In this paper, it is demonstrated that the legal basis of these obligations originates from the international documents on human rights, particularly, the UN Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. In addition, this paper examines the most important mechanisms for realization the right to food, including designing national strategies, legislating and providing legal ways to guarantee the right to food. This paper concludes that if the right to food is to be fulfilled, States should observe their obligations nationally and internationally.