Reagan Signs Bill Ratifying U.N. Genocide Pact
By STEVEN V. ROBERTS
Special to the New York Times
Published: November 5, 1988
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PALOS HILLS, Ill., Nov. 4— Almost 40 years after the United Nations approved the Genocide Convention, President Reagan today signed legislation enabling the United States to become the 98th nation to ratify that international agreement.

The legislation amends the Criminal Code of the United States to make genocide a Federal offense, and sets a maximum penalty of life imprisonment when death results from a criminal act defined by the law.

At a brief ceremony at O'Hare Airport outside Chicago, Mr. Reagan said, "We finally close the circle today." He added, "I am delighted to fulfill the promise made by Harry Truman to all the peoples of the world - and especially the Jewish people."

Mr. Reagan said he would have preferred a bill that established the death penalty for genocidal crimes but said, "This legislation still represents a strong and clear statement by the United States that it will punish acts of genocide with the force of law and the righteousness of justice."

...The law defines genocide as acting with a "specific intent to destroy, in whole or in substantial part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group."

Evidence of that intent includes killing, mental impairment through drugs or torture, and imposing measures to prevent births.