Legal Question in Constitutional Law in California

Iraq into complience

What kinds of laws or methods of enforcement could

be used to bring iraq into complience with the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights?


Asked on 1/15/04, 9:33 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Iraq into complience

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not a legally binding document, so no country can be compelled to adhere to it, even even if it is a signatory (which Iraq is).

Even where such international agreements are supposed to be binding, enforcing them is difficult. Some of these agreements require countries which signed them to accept the authority of the International Court of Justice in the Hague when there is a question of compliance, but forcing a reluctant government to do what it doesn't want to requires skillful diplomacy.

When diplomacy fails, the United Nations can pass resolutions condemning the country's actions and pressing for reforms, but such resolutions seldom have much effect by themselves. After this stage, the only ways to bring a country into complaince are economic sanctions and then military force.

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Answered on 1/15/04, 10:00 pm


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