Citizens for Global Solutions provides up to date news and analysis of international law and justice issues, particularly the International Criminal Court.

INTERNATIONAL LAW AND JUSTICE | U.S. Public and International Courts

Americans Support International Courts and Tribunals

According to a recent poll released by WorldPublicOpinion.org, a broad majority (76%) of the American public supports the idea of having an international body or court to monitor whether countries are adhering to international treaties. Throughout history, the U.S. has spearheaded the establishment of such international bodies in order to ensure that countries practice what they preach and to hold accountable those that don’t.

Recently, however, the Bush administration has taken steps to undermine institutions like the programs/law_justice/faqs/ataglance.html" style="text-underline: single"> International Criminal Court (ICC), which was established to champion human rights and prosecute those accused of committing crimes against humanity, war crimes, and acts of genocide. The majority of the public supporting U.S. participation in international courts and tribunals is bipartisan, with 88% of Democrats and 66% of Republicans in favor. These results highlight the gap that exists between what the general public wants U.S. foreign policy to look like and what U.S. policies are in reality.

The WorldPublicOpinion.org poll investigates further into respondents’ views to identify how sustained the support for international courts and tribunals actually is. A majority of the public (75%) still favors the implementation of international bodies to monitor treaty compliance, even after hearing arguments for and against such bodies. The most convincing argument (85% in agreement) for U.S. participation in these institutions is that “it is much easier for the U.S. to pursue its interests if the world is a place where countries are resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.” This argument resonates the most with the public and articulates the importance of international courts and tribunals.

Additionally, a majority of the U.S. public (69%) believes that the U.S. should not be given special exceptions when it becomes a party to human rights treaties. This majority is bipartisan, with 63% of Republicans and 78% of Democrats in accordance.

A large majority (60%) of the American public supports U.S. participation in the ICC, which the Administration has campaigned against and worked to undermine. Public support for the ICC is sustained, even after respondents consider the U.S. government’s arguments against the Court.

The WorldPublicOpinion.org poll is an extension of previous polls conducted by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations in 2004 and 2002, which both revealed that a majority of the public supports U.S. participation in international bodies to monitor treaty adherence. This consistent, sustained and bipartisan support for international courts and tribunals reflects the public’s view of the U.S. role in the world as defending human rights, leading by example, and practicing what it preaches.

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Updated May 17, 2006

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