/r/internationallaw

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Everything on the subject of public international law and related topics, including international organizations and tribunals, human rights, international humanitarian law, disputes between states, and international law in domestic courts.

Everything on subject of Public International Law and related International Relations/Politics topics, including:

  • International organizations
  • International tribunals
  • Human rights
  • International humanitarian law
  • Disputes between states
  • International law in domestic courts.

This is a place to ask questions, share recent developments, and discuss the field of international law.


Please keep discussions civil and be respectful of the views of others.

Don't downvote just because you disagree with something. Ask questions, make arguments, provide sources, and generally try to contribute to the discussion.


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/r/internationallaw

11,495 Subscribers

7

Whats your opinion on Moot Court competitions

Do you suggest participation in Moot Court competitions? What are the benefits?

3 Comments
2024/10/31
19:41 UTC

353

South Africa's 750-page of evidence against Israel submitted to the ICJ

Does anyone have access to the 750-page document that South Africa submitted to the ICJ re its genocide case against Israel? Or is it not publicly accessible yet?

42 Comments
2024/10/30
22:48 UTC

1

Is a JD or LLM Better for Practicing International Law?

Hi! I'm a US/German citizen in the process of applying for post-grad programs in law, hoping to specialize in cultural property repatriation at the international level. I've applied to both JD and LLM programs, but as decisions start to creep up, I am curious which degree will get me further.

I've asked a couple professors in both law and museum studies, and have gotten a mixed bag of answers. It seems I should choose which degree program to pursue based on whether I want to live in Europe or the States, but I figured some people who have actually worked in the field may be on here and have some more informed input. Thanks so much!

0 Comments
2024/10/30
16:18 UTC

1

What is the best Master's program after a Law degree in International Law

Hello everyone,

I’m currently a fifth-year Law student at LUISS Guido Carli in Rome, and I’m considering my options for a Master's program after graduation. My goal is to work in an international organization in the future.

I’m particularly interested in programs that are not excessively expensive or that at least offer scholarships, as I currently have a scholarship at LUISS.

Any recommendations for Master's programs focused on international law or related fields, especially those with strong ties to international organizations or internship opportunities, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

0 Comments
2024/10/30
15:42 UTC

3

Ensuring human rights accountability in de facto entities

Who can be held accountable, and how can accountability be ensured in de facto entities - especially in cases of frozen conflicts like Cyprus? Can de facto officials be held accountable, or are there other mechanisms available? Additionally, how feasible is it to detach human rights law from the concept of statehood, like Geneva Conventions in international humanitarian law?

Looking forward to any insights on this!

0 Comments
2024/10/28
18:41 UTC

1

If it's established that Iran is funding and directly commanding Hezbollah's attacks on Israel, would international law permit Israel to retaliate with attacks in Iran?

18 Comments
2024/10/26
20:22 UTC

11

Is there legally binding instruments on international humanitarian aid ?

I've been looking for this and the most I came across were non binding draft articles on protection of persons during a disaster

8 Comments
2024/10/26
14:26 UTC

1

Career paths similar to International Law?

I'm a senior in high school and have always dreamed about working at the UN as an international lawyer. As I'm getting older though I'm unsure if international law is the ONLY way to protect human rights/ represent marginalized communities (which intrigues me). I'm planning to pursue journalism as my undergrad degree and hope to go to law school after that but I'm not sure if it's worth it and I'm scared of the burnout. Is there any other way I can do what I love without relying on journalism (which is apparently not lucrative and unstable now!!) as my undergrad degree? Maybe like a master's in international relations?

3 Comments
2024/10/24
18:54 UTC

2

Working in International Law with a law degree?

I graduated from law school in 2023. I didn't necessarily expect it, but International Law ended up being my favorite class. I got the highest grade in the course and participated the most out of any of the students. My law school however was somewhat mid-tier in the middle of the US, and I didn't graduate in the top of my class. I am wondering how one finds a job in International Law. What are the main forms of employment? Would I need an LLM and would I basically have to work in DC? I would be interested in working in the private sector, but it seems like public sector work predominates.

5 Comments
2024/10/24
19:00 UTC

0

Can the veto power of the security council be weakened through re interpretation of the charter ?

17 Comments
2024/10/22
14:38 UTC

0

If a member of the UN votes on an issue which they were not authorised to vote on due to the internal law of state then what happens ?

7 Comments
2024/10/22
00:43 UTC

1

Can international organizations proceed even if there's a defect/irregularity or vacancy in its constitution ?

Various countries legislatures provide that houses can proceed despite a defect or vanacy in their constitutions. Does the same apply for UN bodies as well ? For example if all the permanent members of UN left. How would major issues like enforcement action , enrollment and removal of members work ? Since those require a unanimous vote of the permanent members as well.

0 Comments
2024/10/20
15:48 UTC

6

Does asylum and refugee protection only extend to protection from state actors ?

In countries with poor rule of law. Some groups are more susceptible to violence based on chsrecteristics than others. Can lack of adequate or unenforced protection be a ground for claiming asylum ?

I.e gay people from Mexico claiming asylum in USA escaping violence from non state actors due to the failed law enforcement

4 Comments
2024/10/18
14:40 UTC

120

New research paper argues that "ICC investigations and prosecutions have become a tool for incumbent dictators to target their domestic opponents"

The abstract reads:

Scholars commonly argue that international law and organizations promote democracy by helping dictators to credibly commit to accountability, individual rights, and transparency.

Yet dictators routinely join treaties and international organizations without transitioning to democracy. International law and organizations can generate asymmetric costs for domestic actors because international rules often apply to both governments and non-state actors, yet dictators can limit how these rules are upheld at the domestic and international level.

We argue that dictators are most likely to join such treaties and international organizations when they face strong domestic political competition. We illustrate our argument using the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has extensive powers to prosecute individuals for international crimes, including crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes.

We show that ICC investigations and prosecutions have become a tool for incumbent dictators to target their domestic opponents. We examine the implications of our theory for multiple outcome variables, including the decision to join the ICC, violence, and the survival of dictators in power.

Our evidence suggests that dictators are most likely to join the ICC when they face strong political opponents and are subsequently less likely to commit violence and more likely to survive in office.

The paper is here: https://academic.oup.com/isq/article-abstract/68/3/sqae087/7701128

3 Comments
2024/10/17
07:54 UTC

1

Are UAF second tap / mercy drone strikes on Russian armed personnel war crimes?

To be clear I mean people already injured, incapacitated and without any weapons. I’m not talking about soldiers who may have a rifle or other weapons on hand or who are hiding in a fortified position to try keep fighting.

I’ve seen dozens upon dozens of examples where unconscious or already severely injured Russian soldiers are getting bombed to pieces. Some are just lying their accepting their fate or others even hiding. Others are “mercy” strikes on clearly drying soldiers.

Mercy strikes seem to be a prosecutable offence where NATO soldiers were put on trial for second tap “mercy” strike in Afghanistan

Please real discussion preferably discussing Geneva convention articles and not just spamming “fuck around find out”. Russia might be massively unpopular and committing war crimes themselves but it is a genuine question on the rules of war.

2 Comments
2024/10/17
08:10 UTC

15

Was it legal for the general assembly to suspend south africa's votes during the Apartheid ?

During th Apartheid the general assembly significantly reduced South Africa's participation powers including right to vote. Was this move legal ? There's nothing in the charter that states a State's voting power can be curtailed other than if they deafult on their financial contributions

22 Comments
2024/10/16
06:12 UTC

415

Is Hezbollah’s strike on an IDF dining hall in Northern Israel really a war crime?

I saw a tweet from Israel’s president claiming that it was. But it wouldn’t be, any more than Israel assassinating a Hezbollah leader (and killing only the intended target) would be, would it?

Unless they are POWs, my understanding is that anyone serving in a military or paramilitary can be “legally” killed or attacked under international law. Is there some convention I am unaware of?

91 Comments
2024/10/14
14:21 UTC

292

Are Israeli killings of volunteers for Hezbollah social services in Lebanon against international law?

Hezbollah runs a very large, deeply rooted network of social services, including health services, all across Lebanon. In recent weeks and days, there have been a number of Israeli killings of volunteers for these services. Aren't these people just civilians who decided to volunteer for a political party, even if they're affiliated with Hezbollah? Or is there some explanation as to how this is legal?

152 Comments
2024/10/12
05:17 UTC

3

Are international civil servant contracts within national or international jurisdiction ?

Are civil servants of international organizations a subject relevant to international law or national law or both ?

5 Comments
2024/10/12
11:44 UTC

1

Current JD, Summer Suggestions

Hello everyone, I am a student in the US at a respected law school. Does anyone have any suggestions for summer internships or jobs in DC or NYC for someone interested in pursuing a career in international law, specifically human rights?

0 Comments
2024/10/11
22:48 UTC

90

If the ICC doesn't issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders what will be the international consequences?

And vice versa. If they do, what will the international consequences be.

76 Comments
2024/10/09
21:59 UTC

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