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Abstract

Genocide was declared an international crime in 1946. In response to this declaration, the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted in 1948. Although 28 years have passed, the United States has not yet determined its position, with respect to the Convention and this international compact is still pending before the Senate. This article is concerned primarily with the probable impact of the United States' position on the Genocide Convention in light of international law and relations. The body of the Convention is discussed and analyzed along with three proposed United States' understandings. It is argued that, as the United States is now reestablishing its moral leadership in the world, ratification of the Genocide Convention is in our national interest as a statement of faith in our national principles and of the readiness to develop international law on human rights.

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