1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I urge you to take immediate action to make the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) self-executing in the United States.When the Senate gave its advice and consent to the ICCPR in 1992, it included a declaration that Articles 1–27 are not self-executing. As a result, individuals cannot invoke the treaty’s protections directly in U.S. courts. Vital rights—freedom of expression, due process, equality before the law, protection against arbitrary detention, and others—remain unenforceable unless Congress first passes separate implementing legislation.This non-self-executing declaration undermines the very purpose of ratifying the Covenant. It leaves American citizens without a direct judicial remedy for violations of rights the United States has formally accepted as binding international obligations.I therefore request that you:Introduce or cosponsor legislation declaring the ICCPR self-executing (or withdrawing the 1992 non-self-executing declaration), and Work to pass any necessary implementing statutes so that individuals can enforce the Covenant’s guarantees in federal and state courts. Making the ICCPR self-executing would strengthen the rule of law, enhance accountability, and demonstrate that the United States takes its human-rights commitments seriously.Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and your leadership on this issue.