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Civil Rights During The 1990'S: New Treaty Law Could Help Immensely, Connie De La Vega

Connie de la Vega

This article argues that ratification by the United States of two major international human rights treaties (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)) should have an impact on civil rights issues in this country. It contends that although many of the rights enumerated in the treaties are similar to those provided for in state and federal constitutions and statutes, there are many areas where the treaty clauses are more protective of individuals' rights. It also asserts that even though the United States ratified both treaties …