The Signatories Of These 12 Treaties May Surprise You

Each of these treaties affects the lives of people all over the world through the protection of human rights and limitation of weapons. Which countries have ratified them and those that have not may surprise you. Take this quiz to see if you can guess which country has ratified each treaty.

1. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women – CEDAW

US or Iraq?

Iraq – The US has signed, but will still NOT ratify this treaty that creates an international bill of rights for women, defining what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination and protect women. 187 states have ratified this treaty including Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Afghanistan.

2. Law of the Sea Treaty – UNCLOS

US or Somalia?

Somalia – UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world’s oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment and management of marine resources. 166 states have ratified this treaty including Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan, and Russia, while the US has neither signed nor ratified.

3. The Disability Treaty – CRPD

US or Iran?

Iran – CRPD is an international human rights treaty to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities by ensuring that parties promote, protect, and ensure their rights. 141 states have ratified this treaty including Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and Syria. US Congress still has not ratified this treaty even though it is modeled after the Americans with Disabilities Act and it has broad support from Americans.

4. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – ICCPR

US or China?

US - ICCPR commits nations to respect the civil and political rights of individuals as part of the International Bill of Human Rights. The US has both signed and ratified this treaty along with 166 other states. The ICCPR is monitored by the UN Human Rights Committee.

5. Rome Statute (ICC)

US or Afghanistan?

Afghanistan - The Rome Statute established the International Criminal Court and the four core international crimes it would prosecute: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. 122 states have ratified this treaty including Afghanistan and the Central African Republic, while the US has still refused to ratify.

6. Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty – CTBT

US or Russia?

Russia – CTBT is a multilateral treaty in which states agree to ban all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. Along with Russia, 160 other states have ratified this treaty including Afghanistan and Iraq. The US has still not ratified this treaty and as a result it has not come into force.

7. Convention Against Torture

US or Sudan?

US – This Convention is an international human rights convention that aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman treatment or punishment around the world. The US has signed and ratified this treaty along with 153 other nations.

8. International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights – ICESCR

US or Pakistan?

Pakistan - ICESCR commits nations to work toward granting economic, social, and cultural rights to individuals, including the right to education, the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to health. Including Pakistan, 161 nations have ratified this treaty including, Russia, Syria, Sudan, China, Iraq, and Iran. The US is one of seven nations that have signed but not ratified this treaty.

9. Convention on the Rights of the Child – UNCRC

US or Syria?

Syria- UNCRC is a human rights treaty that outlines the civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural rights of children. The US is one of only two states that have signed but not ratified this treaty. The other is Somalia. 193 states have ratified this treaty including, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

10. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination – ICERD

US or Angola?

US - ICERD is a United Nations convention that commits its members to eliminate racial discrimination and promote understanding among all races. The US is one of 176 states to ratify this treaty. The Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

11. Arms Trade Treaty

US or Germany?

Germany- The Arms Trade Treaty is a multilateral agreement that regulates the international trade of conventional weapons. The US has signed but not ratified this treaty. As a result of reluctance by nations to ratify this treaty, it has not yet entered into force.

12. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

US or Israel?

US - The Non-Proliferation Treaty is an international treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology while promoting cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The ultimate goal is to achieve nuclear disarmament. 189 parties have signed and ratified. Israel, along with Pakistan and South Sudan, has not signed or ratified this treaty.