USA on par with Somalia

Failure to ratify basic international treaties is unacceptable

The differences between Somalia and the United States are vast, but there is one area where the two nations share a special category. They are the only two countries in the world that have not ratified three international conventions protecting the rights of children, women, and the disabled.

The African nation’s long history of conflict, chaos, and anarchy explains this fact. In our country, this rejection is the result of the influence of a small conservative sector fearful that the treaties represent a loss of sovereignty.

Under the Constitution, the Senate is responsible for ratifying international treaties—signed by the White House—with a two-thirds majority. We believe that this new session in the upper chamber should include ratification of these treaties on its agenda.

The United States’ absence from these conventions hurts our country’s image and action on the international stage. It is hypocritical to advocate the protection of children, women, and the disabled without ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In all three cases, it is the same individuals who argue that these treaties would interfere with the way parents raise their children, that they promote abortion, that they would impose international laws on the United States. Our country ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination with absolutely no impact on its sovereignty.

Blocking treaty ratification is a symptom of paranoia regarding the United Nations and international relations. It is cause for concern that there are enough members of the Senate vulnerable to a parochial vision built on lies. Worse yet are those willing to block such measures simply because they are proposed by the White House. Perhaps they feel a certain kinship with the values of Somalia.

We do not see it this way. We hope the Senate approves these treaties during the new legislative session.

En esta nota

Senate

Suscribite al boletín de Noticias

Recibe gratis las noticias más importantes diariamente en tu email

Este sitio está protegido por reCAPTCHA y Google Política de privacidad y Se aplican las Condiciones de servicio.

¡Muchas gracias!

Más sobre este tema
Contenido Patrocinado
Enlaces patrocinados por Outbrain