The Legal Framework of the Right to Food Security in International Law: A Normative Analysis

Background and Aims: Food security is enshrined as a human right in key international instruments —most notably Article ۲۵ of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article ۱۱ of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Yet, global hunger, malnutrition, and unequal access to adequate food persist, especially among vulnerable populations in conflict zones, low-income countries, and marginalized communities. This study examines how international legal norms and state obligations can more effectively guarantee the right to food security. It asks: What gaps exist in current treaties, and how can policy and jurisprudence evolve to ensure equitable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all? Method: Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the research reviews primary international instruments (UDHR, ICESCR, Convention on the Rights of the Child), General Comments issued by treaty bodies, and relevant case law from regional human rights courts. Reports from UN agencies (FAO, WHO, WFP) and non-governmental organizations are content-analyzed to identify recurring legal and practical obstacles. Finally, comparative case studies from three regions illustrate successful domestic implementation models. Finding: The analysis reveals several persistent challenges: (۱) the optional “progressive realization” clause in Article ۱۱ ICESCR has allowed states to delay concrete measures; (۲) fragmented treaty coverage leaves gaps —particularly for indigenous and rural populations; (۳) weak monitoring and enforcement mechanisms fail to hold states accountable; and (۴) insufficient integration of the right to food within trade and investment agreements undermines domestic food systems. Conversely, emerging jurisprudence from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Inter-American Court demonstrates innovative interpretive strategies that link food security to broader rights (e.g., health, culture, environment). Conclusion: To strengthen the right to food security, this study recommends: (a) amending monitoring procedures to permit individual complaints under Article ۱۱ ICESCR; (b) adopting binding

کلیدواژه ها:

Food security ، International law ، Human rights ، ICESCR ، Right to food ، Legal framework