| Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 | |
| Fullname: | A bill to implement the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide |
| Nickname: | Proxmire Act |
| Enacted By: | 100th |
| Title Amended: | 18 U.S.C.: Crimes and Criminal Procedure |
| Introducedin: | Senate |
| Introducedby: | Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) |
| Introduceddate: | November 5, 1987 |
| Committees: | Senate Judiciary |
| Passedbody1: | Senate |
| Passeddate1: | October 14, 1988 |
| Passedvote1: | voice vote |
| Passedbody2: | House |
| Passeddate2: | October 19, 1988 |
| Passedvote2: | voice vote |
| Signedpresident: | Ronald Reagan |
| Signeddate: | November 4, 1988 |
The Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987 (Proxmire Act) amended the US Federal criminal code to establish the criminal offense of genocide (specified acts committed with the specific intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group). It provides for penalties to be imposed upon anyone who commits or attempts to commit any of such acts (a fine of $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years, and life imprisonment if group members are killed). It also provides for criminal penalties (a fine of $500,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five years) for directly and publicly inciting an act of genocide.[1]
The law states that it shall not be construed to: (1) preclude the application of State or local laws to the conduct proscribed; or (2) create any substantive or procedural right enforceable by law by any party in any proceeding.