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International Law

Amnesty international

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By: Sanad Zumot

What is International Law?

International law is a set of rules and principles that set the way governments and individuals interact, as well as how international organizations interact. It establishes the legal obligations of governments in their interactions with one another and in their treatment of persons inside their borders. The realm of international law involves a wide range of international concerns, including human rights, disarmament, international crime, refugees, migration, nationality disputes, the treatment of prisoners, the use of force, and the conduct of war, among others. International law also governs global commons including the environment and sustainable development, international waterways, outer space, global communications, and global trade.

UN Law Entities & Offices

What are UN law entities and offices?

The United Nations Office of Legal Affairs provides the Secretariat, the main organs, and other sections of the UN with a consolidated, uniform legal service. It also aids in the establishment and codification of international public and commercial law.

UN Law Entities and Offices

  • International Court of Justice

  • The Security Council and International Law

  • The General Assembly and International Law

  • General Assembly- Sixth Committee (legal)

  • International Law Commission

  • The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

  • United Nations Treaty database

  • United Nations Commission on International Trade Law

  • The International Justice system at the United Nations

  • Legal Resources and Training

  • Legal Technical Assistance for UN Member States

  • Program of Assistance for International Law

The Art of Persuasion

The art of persuasion is one of the most significant parts of resolving disputes in international trade. It comprises creating communication methods that will help you to more successfully establish yourself in the world.

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When using the art of persuasion in a disagreement, the six main points are

  1. Build rapport

  2. Be prepared

  3. Communicate clearly

  4. Confidence and certainty

  5. Detach and stay clam in conflict

  6. Don’t assume.

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These six key factors can assist you in influencing others, resulting in more successful dispute resolution on your side.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)

What is the International Court of Justice?

The International Court of Justice is the United Nations' primary judicial branch. This key UN organization settles legal issues brought before it by nations in accordance with international law. It also offers legal advice on matters submitted to it by recognized UN institutions and specialized agencies.

Who does the International Court of Justice prosecute?

The Court may consider two types of cases: legal disputes between governments that have been reported directly to the court; contentious cases, and requests for advisory opinions on legal issues presented to it by United Nations organizations and specialized bodies; non-contentious cases (advisory proceedings).

Examples of International Court of Justice cases

Alleged violations of sovereign rights and maritime spaces in the Caribbean Sea (Nicaragua v. Colombia) (2013-2022). On November 26, 2013, Nicaragua submitted an application to start legal action against Colombia over a dispute involving "violations of Nicaragua's sovereign rights and maritime zones declared by the Court's Judgment of November 19, 2012 and the threat of the use of force by Colombia to implement these violations." Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) initiated legal action against Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda on June 23, 1999, for "acts of military aggression perpetrated... in blatant violation of the Organization of African Unity Charter and the Charter of the United Nations." The DRC also demanded compensation for willful acts of theft and damage, as well as the return of resources and assets that had been appropriated for the benefit of the various respondent States.

Embargo

What is an embargo?

An embargo is a formal prohibition on trade or other commercial activities with a certain country. It is commonly known as an formal prohibition on any action or a state's decree prohibiting foreign ships from entering or leaving its ports.

 

What is the purpose of an embargo?

Embargoes are considered harsh diplomatic penalties imposed by the imposing country in order to gain a certain result for its own national interests from the country on whom it is imposed.  The United Nations can impose embargoes on nations; for example, South America and Guativa have been placed under an embargo. By the United Nations for their actions and misdeeds.

Peace Terms and Treaties

What is a peace treaty?

A peace treaty is a legally binding agreement that ends a state of war between two or more hostile parties, most of which are nations or governments. It is not the same as an armistice, which is an agreement to end hostilities; a surrender, in which an army agrees to lay down its weapons; or a ceasefire or truce, in which the parties may agree to temporarily or permanently halt hostilities. According to legal historian Christine Bell, the contemporary art of drafting a peace treaty is known as the lex pacificator, with a peace treaty possibly contributing to the legal framework directing the post-conflict period.

What is a lex pacificator?

The term lex pacificators also refers to law dealing with treaties or agreements that terminate a state of war or achieve lasting peace between belligerents, as stated by state and non-state peacemakers, such as peace.

Examples of Peace Terms and Treaties?

1.

In 1783, the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War with Great Britain

2. 

The Treaty of Versailles was the most important of World War I's peace accords. It brought the conflict between Germany and the Allied Powers to an end.

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The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969. It sets extensive rules, methods, and standards for the definition, drafting, amendment, interpretation, and general operation of treaties.

International Lawyers at Conflict

Truth and Reconciliation entails hearing people's perspectives and putting them out in the open (reconciliation rather than punishment) in order to help heal relationships. Used following the wars in South Africa and Ireland. Lawyers give competing points of view from both sides in order for them to be noticed and acknowledged by both.

 

Transitions from authoritarian regimes to democracy, or from repression to societal stability, necessitate the criminal and judicial prosecution of human rights breaches. This is crucial from a legal sense, but it also has far-reaching ramifications for mental health, healing, and coping during times of unrest, injustice, and slaughter.

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