Better Late than Never? Norm Stragglers and UN Human Rights Treaties

• In Event: Human Rights Promotion and Protection on the Global Stage

Abstract

What motivates states to ratify human rights treaties after 10, 15, or more years after the treaty opening? In this project, I focus on what I term ‘norm stragglers,’ states that join a norm cascade after the tipping point, and most other states have already ratified the human rights treaty. I explore the determinants of stragglers ratifying the ICCPR and compare motivations with those who joined earlier in the norm life cycle. I argue that straggling states are receptive to targeted shaming, mobilization, and global norm acceptance but take higher thresholds to motivate action. The findings inform our understanding of state commitment with human rights law as well as inform the potential importance of urging states to ratify after years or decades have passed without them doing so.

Author

• Audrey Lynn Comstock, Arizona State University