U.S. ratification of the international covenants on human rights

In June of 1992 the United States joined over 100 other countries in adopting one of two ground-breaking international treaties on human rights, the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - 26 years after both were adopted by the United Nations and 14 years after President Carter submitted them to the Senate for its advice and consent. The second international treaty, the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights today remains pending before the Senate. U.S. Ratification of the International Covenants on Human Rights is a comprehensive, section-by-section analysis of these two fundamental international treaties on human rights, including a concise comparison of their provisions with U.S. law. It discusses means of enforcing compliance with the treaties and the general role played by treaties under U.S. law. In addition, the editors explain why it has taken the United States so long to ratify even one of the two Covenants, and they urge that the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also be ratified. This book is published under the auspices of the American Society of International Law, and the distinguished contributors include not only international lawyers and scholars, but experts in constitutional law, labor law, health law, and other relevant fields. For nearly a century, the American Society of International Law has served as a meeting place and research center for scholars, officials, practicing lawyers, students and others interested in the use and development of international law and institutions in international relations. The ASIL publishes a record of the proceedings from its Annual Meeting, and disseminates reports and records of sponsored meetings through other ASIL publications. Society publications include the American Journal of International Law, International Legal Materials, the ASIL Newsletter, the ASIL Occasional Paper series, Studies in Transnational Legal Policy, and books published under ASIL auspices.