The International Campaign for Ratification of the Convention

Abstract

Lemkin now had to switch his energy into an international campaign to cajole representatives from at least 20 states to ratify the Genocide Convention, so that the treaty became part of international law. Not only had the legislatures of many states to approve of ratifying the convention, but their Foreign Ministers had to deposit a document confirming ratification at the United Nations. All this was a wearying process and it was imperative that everything was done quickly before all the euphoria surrounding the General Assembly’s approval of the convention evaporated. As was becoming routine, Lemkin hurried to see Dr Evatt, selling him the plan of the campaign which was run under the latter’s imprimatur, though most of the legwork was done by Lemkin. While it was true that Lemkin used all his charm and flattery to beg delegates at the United Nations and ministers for their support, he also relied on allies in the World Federation of United Nations Associations, South American university rectors and women’s international organizations to exert pressure on different governments. Because of his fears that the United States Committee for a Genocide Convention had been infiltrated by human rights activists, Lemkin was adamant that it would play no role in the campaign. Sometimes Lemkin had to devote much energy and extensive correspondence to ensure the successful outcome of a campaign in an individual country, as in the case of France; sometimes a few deft moves sufficed.