The civil and political rights recognized internationally through the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are mirrored in the Constitution.
Rights are subject to legislative guarantee, judicial protection and Congressional action.
The latter is provided through the Congressional Standing Constitutional Committee and the Standing Petitions Committee which may examine individual or collective petitions received by Congress. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has been fully incorporated into internal legislation. Spain has also ratified the European Convention on Human Rights as well as the European Convention against Torture. Spain's fourth periodic report is due 30 June 1999. Spain's fifth periodic report is due 28 April 1999.