Doc. 9507

8 July 2002

The United States of America and international law

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Jurgens and others

1.       The Assembly is aware that the United States of America, through its sheer military and economic power, but also through its leading role as a democracy and protector of human rights, has considerably contributed towards peace in the world.

2.       Thus 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.

3.       The Assembly considers that a stable world order is essential for global peace and the well-being of mankind and that such a stable world order is therefore of tremendous importance and of considerable interest to the nations in the world, including all Council of Europe member states and the United States of America.

4.       The Assembly is convinced that a stable world order can only be brought about through the worldwide respect of international law and that this requires the full backing and co-operation of the United States of America.

5.       It takes 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.       The Assembly therefore 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.

7.       In particular it makes an urgent appeal on 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 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;

c. the United Nations Treaty on the International Criminal Court;

d. the United Nations Covenant on civil and political rights.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Budin, Italy, SOC

Cilevićs, Latvia, SOC

Gustafsson, Sweden, EPP/CD

Holovaty, Ukraine, NR

Kovalev S., Russia, LDR

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Martins, Portugal, SOC

Masseret, France, SOC

Nabholz-Haidegger, Switzerland, LDR

Vanoost, Belgium, SOC

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