Prepared by Michele Ameri
December 1998
The following chart represents an analysis of a table
indicating levels national participation in selected international human
rights treaty regimes. Each country is assigned a score based on whether
it has signed (but not ratified), ratified (with out reservations), or
ratified with reservations a number of key international human rights treaties.
Each treaty which has been signed adds one point to a countries score,
each treaty ratified with reservation adds 2 points, and each treaty ratified
without reservations adds 3 points. The total scores
| The scores assigned in the table
to the left cannot purport to explain which states are the worst violators
of human rights. Although States are bound under international law by the
committments they make in treaties, international humans treaties are difficult
to enforce and therefore often ignored. In addition, States with relatively
good human rights records, like the United States, sometimes choose not
to join treaty regimes which would affect their approach to dealing with
human rights problems.
None the less, participation in
international human rights regimes demonstrates a committment to reducing
human rights abuses by accepting international standards and vigilance.
Once a State has accepted an international legal instrument, national human
rights advocates, NGO's, and international organizations can pressure governments
to honor their committments. Gradually, a tradition of respect for the
rule of law is formed, leading to a decrease in human rights abuses. Therefore,
the importance of participation in human rights regimes cannot be
understated, even for developed countries.
|
| The results of the table are indeed troubling. While some states with poor human rights records scored very highly, other states, which consistently proclaim their dedication to the international rule of law scored less well. Clearly, this indicates that some states are not honoring their international commitments. Others are unwilling to cede a portion of their sovereignty in order to make such commitments thereby failing to strengthen the international rule of law. |
| Country | Score |
| Czech Republic | 24 |
| Libya | 24 |
| Mexico | 23 |
| Phillipenes | 23 |
| Algeria | 22 |
| Romania | 22 |
| Russia | 22 |
| Argentina | 21 |
| Chile | 21 |
| Cote D'Ivoire | 21 |
| Egypt | 21 |
| Jamaica | 21 |
| Zimbabwe | 21 |
| Brazil | 20 |
| Canada | 20 |
| India | 20 |
| Italy | 20 |
| Poland | 20 |
| Germany | 19 |
| Australia | 18 |
| France | 18 |
| Netherlands | 18 |
| Rep. of Korea | 18 |
| Syria | 17 |
| Sudan | 16 |
| United Kingdom | 16 |
| China | 15 |
| South Africa | 14 |
| United States | 13 |
| Japan | 12 |
| Malaysia | 7 |
| Indonesia | 6 |