International humanitarian and human rights law

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948, see Unit 10.5) and subsequent treaties (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and many others) have developed an international human rights framework. The International Criminal Court (founded 2002) prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Major powers including the United States, China, and Russia have not joined the ICC, limiting its reach.