HR Global Governance

• When did the origins of international law date back to?

  17th century
• What principle does international law function based on?

  Principle of reciprocity
• Why is adherence to international law considered pragmatic?

  It is seen as a pragmatic thing to do, rather than a moral obligation
• What were the Nuremberg Trials known for?

  First prosecuted 'crimes against humanity'
• What did the Nuremberg Trials demonstrate about rights?

  Rights are no longer relative to just the state
• How did the Holocaust impact the realist defense in international law?

  It showed that the realist defense was no longer adequate
• What evolution in international law was shown by the Nuremberg Trials?

  International law evolved to involve human rights and required international institutions of justice
• What was one outcome of the Nuremberg Trials regarding state aggression?

  Helped to contain the aggressive impulses of states, leading to the UN
• What is a counterargument to the Nuremberg Trials regarding justice?

  They were an example of victor's justice, as only the winners prosecuted the losers
• What were the Tokyo international tribunals?

  They punished Japan after WWII, despite potential war crimes by the Allies
• What is the aim of the UN in relation to international law?

  Aim to banish the scourge of war
• What are the four freedoms built upon by the UN?

  Freedom of speech, religion, from want, and from fear
• What significant document did the UN create in 1948?

  International Bill of Human Rights with the UDHR
• Who is the current High Commissioner for Human Rights?

  Volker Turk
• What is the aim of the High Commissioner for Human Rights?

  Promote adherence to human rights and expose violations
• What is the role of NGOs in international law?

  Provide instantaneous coverage of humanitarian issues and crises
• Name some prominent NGOs involved in international law.

  Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Red Cross, Save the Children
• What does the HRW annual World Report focus on?

  It has been highly critical of various governments and events
• What does Amnesty International cover in its reports?

  Reports on journalists arrested in Egypt and Iran, exposing human rights abuses
• What is the ICJ?

  Judicial agency of the UN
• Where is the ICJ located?

  The Hague in the Netherlands
• When did the ICJ begin operation?

  1946
• How many judges comprise the ICJ?

  15 judges
• What does the ICJ do?

  Settles legal disputes submitted by states
• What advisory role does the ICJ have?

  Acts as an advisory body on legal issues submitted by the UNGA and other agencies
• How can the UNSC be approached by the ICJ?

  To enforce judgments due to Article 94
• What is a strength of the ICJ in global governance?

  Establishes a rules-based approach to global governance
• How does the ICJ provide arbitration for states?

  Prevents armed conflicts through legal settlements
• What significant ruling did the ICJ make in 1992?


  Confirmed the status of disputed areas between Honduras and El Salvador
• What was the ICJ's ruling regarding the Bakassi peninsula?


  Ruled that it belonged to Cameroon in 2002
• What conflict arose after the ICJ's ruling on the Bakassi peninsula?

  Conflict over the decision between 2006-2009 due to Anglophone residents' desires
• Why might nation states be unwilling to question ICJ rulings?

  Due to the great moral authority of the ICJ
• What dispute did the ICJ help resolve in 1986?


  Mali and Burkina Faso’s dispute over the Agache Strip
• What is a weakness of the ICJ regarding its main aim?

  It has failed to act as a forum for solving international disputes
• Why do not all governments trust the ICJ?

  Some governments do not trust the ICJ to make decisions during their disputes
• What happened in 2012 regarding the ICJ and Colombia?


  Colombia announced it would no longer recognize ICJ jurisdiction
• Why did Colombia reject the ICJ's ruling in 2012?


  It claimed the issue could not be decided in a 'court of law'
• What limitation does the ICJ have regarding case initiation?

  It cannot initiate cases, only try cases presented to it
• What is the 'option clause' in relation to the ICJ?


  It allows states to choose whether or not to be subject to ICJ rulings
• How many members signed the 'option clause' in 2017?


  72 out of 193 members