USA

“We have an obligation that we must meet, as members of organizations that we helped build, to abide by rules we helped write, to further goals of law, peace and prosperity that Americas deeply support.” - US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, 1998.

USA Campaign: International Principles and Standards

Overview Police Brutality Human Rights Violations on the US-Mexico Border Abuse of Prisoners Women in Detention Arbitary detention of asylum-seekers Super-maximum security Death Penalty Racism and the death penalty International Context FAQ

The international community of nations has adopted a wide range of human rights standards for the protection of all humankind. These articulate the criteria against which the human rights record of all states can be judged.

The US helped to formulate many of these standards. It has also repeatedly stressed the importance of international law and human rights standards for other governments. But the US has been reluctant to commit itself to these same standards.

For example, the US is only one of 10 countries that have not ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and one of only two countries which have not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The failure of the US government to address police brutality and abuse of prisoners and end state executions contravenes the standards of the international community and specific international treaties to which the US is bound.

Police Brutality

The international community has established basic standards of conduct for intentional lethal use of firearms by police. According to these standards, police should only resort to firearms when lethal force is “strictly unavoidable” and “in proportion to the seriousness of the offense.” At all times, police officers have a fundamental obligation to “minimize damage and injury and respect and preserve human life.” Reference: Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, 1990.

Abuse of Prisoners

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights says “no one shall be subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” and that “all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”

The execution of children and juvenile offenders

The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child states that “no child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” The Convention also states that capital punishment must not be imposed for offenses committed by persons below 18 years of age. Only two states, the US and Somalia, have refused to ratify the Convention.

The US should take steps to reinforce respect for international standards by ratifying without reservation human rights treaties that it has not yet ratified; withdrawing reservations which limit the effect of international human rights standards; and ensuring that national legislation is consistent with international human rights standards.