Doc. 8588
19 November 1999

International law and the United States of America

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Jurgens and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

The Assembly,

1.        Taking note of the fact that on 13 October 1999 the Congress of the United States of America refused to accept ratification by the United States of America of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty;

2.        Recalling that the development of international law is very much dependent on the position taken by the great powers towards such development;

3.        Considering that the United States of America, apart from being a super power, also has great influence in that its democracy, its language, its culture and its economic system are exemplary for other nations and cultures;

4.        Recalling that the United States of America has, in the 20th Century, twice intervened in a European war and has, since the Second World War, taken a leading position in defending the values of the European tradition against an ideology which did not respect these values;

5.        Taking note of the fact that the United States of America, in contradiction with its leading position, has in quite a few instances, refused to take part in international agreements which contribute essentially to the development of international law and humanitarian protection;

6.        Calls upon the United States of America to change its policy concerning the applicability of some essential instruments of international law which promote humanitarian protection and the rule of law; especially it calls upon the United States of America to sign and ratify the following treaties:

a. The Convention on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and

transfer of anti-personnel mines

b. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

c. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

d. The United Nations Treaty on the International Criminal Court

e. The United Nations Covenant on civil and political rights

Signed : ¹

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Brand, United Kingdom, LDR

Clerfayt, Belgium, LDR

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Holovaty, Ukraine, LDR

Jansson, Finland, LDR

Jaskiernia, Poland, SOC

Kirkhill, United Kingdom, SOC

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Ruffy, Switzerland, SOC

Solonari, Moldova, SOC

Svoboda, Czech Republic, EPP/CD

Wohlwend, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group