Optional Protocol

An Optional Protocol is an agreement that countries can choose to join, to strengthen their commitment to an existing treaty. It provides additional rules or protections on specific issues, offering more detailed safeguards. For example, a country might sign a main human rights treaty and then choose to also sign an Optional Protocol to address particular concerns, like protecting children or preventing torture. By opting in, nations demonstrate a deeper commitment to uphold those specific rights or standards, reinforcing the overall treaty framework without being bound to it automatically.