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4 - Signature

A First Step in a Two-Step Commitment Process

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2021

Audrey L. Comstock
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
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Summary

In this chapter, I begin by covering the legal definitional differences between treaty signature and treaty ratification. I discuss the two-step legal nature of signing and ratifying international treaty law and present an argument of when and why signature is important. I posit that states confronting domestic legislative barriers to ratification place an importance on the act of signature, as it is easier for these states to sign than it is to ratify. I examine the case of the United States and the historic hurdles confronted ratifying human rights law. Then, I statistically test the effect of signing human rights treaties on human rights behavior on the ICCPR and CEDAW treaties. I find that for states confronting domestic legislative barriers to ratification, signature is a significant indicator of improved human rights. This finding does not hold for states without such barriers.

Type
Chapter
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Committed to Rights
UN Human Rights Treaties and Legal Paths for Commitment and Compliance
, pp. 63 - 107
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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  • Signature
  • Audrey L. Comstock, Arizona State University
  • Book: Committed to Rights
  • Online publication: 14 January 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108908979.004
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  • Signature
  • Audrey L. Comstock, Arizona State University
  • Book: Committed to Rights
  • Online publication: 14 January 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108908979.004
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Signature
  • Audrey L. Comstock, Arizona State University
  • Book: Committed to Rights
  • Online publication: 14 January 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108908979.004
Available formats
×