Name(s):
Delays in ratification of human rights treaties
Non-ratification of human rights treaties
Failure of governments to implement provisions of ratified human rights agreements
Non-acceptance of human rights treaties
Nature
International conventions protecting human rights are of no benefit if they are not ratified and implemented by governments. When governments delay the ratification of conventions, or when they fail to implement the provisions of conventions they have ratified, confidence in the ability of the international community to defend human rights everywhere is eroded.
Incidence
The ratification by the USA (in 1990) of the United Nations Genocide Convention took 40 years, because conservative legislators argued that it was unconstitutional and could be applied against American soldiers who served in Vietnam.