paradox of international law:

1
paradox of international law

• attempt to impose rules of behavior on entities
  that not accept exists authority higher than
  themselves

2
What is a sovereign state?

• A. CLAIM
• B. ability to ENFORCE
• C. RECOGNISED

3
WAS IRAQ WAR LEGAL?

• SC 678
• SC 687
• SC 1441
• US UK
• i. 1441 authorization
• ii. a. 51
• France Russia
• i. only SC take action
• ii. a. 51 armed attack

4
INTERNATIONAL LAW

• The body of rules and general principles of
  action accepted by civilized nations as binding
  on their actions (ICJ)
• PRIVATE
• PUBLIC

5
SOURCES OF IL

• 1. treaty
• 2. consensus
• 3. natural law

pacta sunt servanda
Universal Human Rights
6
Municipal (domestic)legal systems

• common law
• civil law
• theocratic law

7
INTERNATIONAL vsMUNICIPAL LAW

• 1. making
• 2. adjudication
• 3. enforcement

8
ICJ

• all members UN automatically members
• states not have to accept jurisdiction
• optional clause

9
IL and WAR

• 1. jus ad bellum
• 2. just in bellum
• Geneva Conventions 1949
• i. proportionality
• ii. war crimes

10
IL INDIVIDUALS

• Nuremburg Tokyo
• crimes against peace and humanity
• conspiracy to wage aggressive war
• natural law
• sovereign immunity

Can individuals claim immunity for things they
did as head of state or in the name of the state?
11
Gonzales Doctrine

• 1. torture criminal offense
• 2. President obliged do whatever necessary
  national security
• 3. law that infringes on 2. unconstitutional
• 4. sovereign immunity
• 5. torture permissible

DoJ memo 8/1/02
12
HOW IS IL APPLIED TO INDIVIDUALS NOW?

• 1. agreements make domestic law
• 2. tribunals
• 3. permanent court ICC
• 4. corporations
• 5. issues
• Who compensate?
• How far back?

13
Paradox resolved?

• 1. State sovereign immunity
• 2. Individuals may not
• 3. Individual immunity only for actions
  legitimate functions of the office
• 4. IL may constrain states by acting against
  individuals