In Saudi Arabia, Islamic law mandates the death penalty for crimes such as murder, rape, adultery and drug trafficking. After their trial, the condemned are executed under the watchful gaze of Islamic religious leaders. In China, there are over 60 crimes punishable by death, including prostitution, embezzlement and tax evasion. As a result, over 70 percent of all the world's death sentences carried out in 1994 occurred in China. Following a public trial, criminals are executed by military authorities in front of large and boisterous crowds. The United States recognizes the death penalty under both federal and state law for a limited number of crimes including murder and treason. In contrast, capital punishment is prohibited as a violation of human rights in most countries of Western Europe.
In each case, the proper authorities define both crime and punishment according to the standards of their culture. Justice, in their eyes, is carried out. It is these cultural differences that challenge efforts to define the concept of international justice.
Since its foundation, the United Nations has attempted to codify standards of human rights and international justice. While the United Nations recognizes cultural diversity and the primacy of self-determination, it continues to function under the premise that certain elements of human existence are inalienable and universal. These include the right to life, liberty and the security of the person. This fundamental core of human values provides the foundation for UN efforts to promote international justice.
One of the earliest acts of the UN General Assembly was the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It sets forth a list of basic human rights and was designed as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations." In addition, the General Assembly has adopted several other agreements which enumerate and protect human rights. These include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Collectively, these three agreements comprise the International Bill of Rights. They are designed to codify common standards of international justice and have been signed by over 100 countries. However, several countries, including Saudi Arabia and China, refuse to sign these agreements because some provisions conflict with their cultural traditions and perceptions of justice. While the United States signed and ratified these agreements, it attached several reservations to their acceptance. Specifically, these reservations provide that the agreements do not change US law or practice, even when they fall below international standards. Several countries have criticized the US reservations as incompatible with the underlying spirit and objective of these international agreements.
In addition to the International Bill of Rights, the United Nations has participated in the development of several other human rights agreements. These agreements address such issues as genocide, torture, slavery and racial discrimination. The United Nations has also provided a forum for the discussion of economic, social, cultural, educational and health issues. Through these efforts, the United Nations continues to promote the development of international justice.
