The procedure for individual communications set out in the Optional Protocol is similar to that under other international human rights treaties. It allows individuals and groups of individuals claiming to be victims of a violation of any of the provisions of the Convention to file complaints before the Committee. It is worth pointing out from the outset some basic information on what the Optional Protocol is and what it is not so as to avoid confusion.
The communications procedure is what is known as a quasi-judicial procedure. In many ways the procedure parallels judicial consideration of complaints but there are also some important differences:
It is also interesting to note that many communications are sent to the Committee. However, most of these cannot be registered as they do not meet the basic requirements for admissibility (for example, many communications have been brought against the United States, which is not a party to either the Convention or its Optional Protocol).