Charter of the United Nations
1945-06-26
1945-08-08
Summary
The founding treaty of the United Nations, establishing the organization's structure, purposes, and principles. It created the General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat. The Charter commits member states to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress and human rights.
Parties
U.S. Implementing Legislation
United Nations Participation Act
22 U.S.C. §§ 287–287e
Authorizes U.S. participation in the United Nations and designates the President to appoint representatives.
Key Cases
Medellín v. Texas, 552 U.S. 491 (2008) — ICJ judgments not directly enforceable in U.S. courts without implementing legislation
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, 548 U.S. 557 (2006) — Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions applies via the UN Charter framework
Related Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
1966-12-16 · Ratified
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
1966-12-16 · Signed, Not Ratified
Convention Against Torture (CAT)
1984-12-10 · Ratified
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
1948-12-09 · Ratified
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
1989-11-20 · Signed, Not Ratified