Int’l Law{I.R. Unit 4}{I.R. Unit 4}Treaties, Agreements, Treaties, Agreements,

Conventions, Protocols, Conventions, Protocols, Charters, etc.Charters, etc.

2 Types of Int’l Law2 Types of Int’l Law1. Customary Law1. Customary Law

Many have become Many have become codified, but not codified, but not necessary, ex: necessary, ex: many laws at sea many laws at sea

(UNCLOS 1(UNCLOS 1 983), like ships passing 983), like ships passing

on lefton left diplomatic immunitydiplomatic immunity

2. Treaty Law2. Treaty Law Once signed & Once signed &

ratified, nations are ratified, nations are legally bound to honor legally bound to honor them (theoretically). them (theoretically).

Many have opt-out Many have opt-out clauses : clauses : North Korea & the NPT North Korea & the NPT

in 2003in 2003 U.S. & ABM treaty in U.S. & ABM treaty in

Dec., 2001Dec., 2001

What if they don’t honor it?What if they don’t honor it?1. Peaceful solutions: 1. Peaceful solutions:

1a) Diplomatic meetings1a) Diplomatic meetings

1b) 1b) SanctionsSanctions? – need to ? – need to be very multilateral to be very multilateral to be effective (U.S. v. be effective (U.S. v. Cuba; annual GA vote)Cuba; annual GA vote)

1c) 1c) Condemning Condemning resolutionsresolutions – isolation & – isolation & sanctions works?sanctions works?

2. Force: 2. Force:

2a) 2a) Who wants to do it? ? (Not Russia or China)

Human Rights & Human Rights & Humanitarian LawHumanitarian Law

1. foundation = 1. foundation = UDHR; Ratified in GA, 1948; enforceable in national & Int’l courts; enforceable in national & Int’l courts

- 6 major agreements stem from it:- 6 major agreements stem from it:* Int’l Cov. on Civil & Pol. Rights (1966)* Int’l Cov. on Civil & Pol. Rights (1966)

* Int’l Cov. on Econ., Soc., & Cult. Rights* Int’l Cov. on Econ., Soc., & Cult. Rights (1966) (1966)

* Conv. on Elim. of…Racial Discrimination * Conv. on Elim. of…Racial Discrimination (1966)(1966)

* * Conv… Elim…Discr. Against Women (1979) (1979)

* Conv. on Rights of the Child (1990)* Conv. on Rights of the Child (1990)

* Conv. Against Torture (1984)* Conv. Against Torture (1984)

(U.S. has ratified only 3 of them)(U.S. has ratified only 3 of them)

Why doesn’t America ratify Why doesn’t America ratify treaties?treaties?

a)a) Difficult; 2/3 in SenateDifficult; 2/3 in Senateb)b) Legality; treaties b-4 laws Legality; treaties b-4 laws (see Gov’t text)(see Gov’t text)

c)c) Ethics; at least we’re honestEthics; at least we’re honest

http://cei.org/op-eds-and-articles/why-america-doesnt-ratify-treatieshttp://cei.org/op-eds-and-articles/why-america-doesnt-ratify-treaties

HR lawHR law (cont’d) (cont’d)

2. Geneva Conventions 2. Geneva Conventions a) I (1869) Help for wounded & sick soldiers; creates a) I (1869) Help for wounded & sick soldiers; creates

neutral Red Crossneutral Red Cross

b) II (1906) same, but @ seab) II (1906) same, but @ sea

c) III (1926) Treatment of POW’sc) III (1926) Treatment of POW’s

d) IV (1949) Protects civilians during ward) IV (1949) Protects civilians during war

*Apply to all ratifying nations, during any armed *Apply to all ratifying nations, during any armed

conflictconflict

Refugee Law

a. ~40 million IDP’s in a. ~40 million IDP’s in worldworld

b. ~30 million b. ~30 million refugees

c. UNHCR helps at c. UNHCR helps at least 12 least 12

million IDP’s/yearmillion IDP’s/year{Figures courtesy of Prof. McBride @ Whittier {Figures courtesy of Prof. McBride @ Whittier College –College –

a UNHCR consultant since 1993}a UNHCR consultant since 1993}

Weapons Treaties

* NPT (1968); then CTBT * NPT (1968); then CTBT (1996)(1996)

* SALT* SALT

* ABM (1972-2002)* ABM (1972-2002)

* * Mine Ban Treaty (1997)

* Conv. on Cluster Munitions * Conv. on Cluster Munitions (2010)(2010) * START (1991) & * START (1991) & New Start (2011)

World CourtWorld CourtI.C.J.I.C.J.

Part of UN CharterPart of UN Charter country v. country country v. country

disputesdisputes The HagueThe Hague

I.C.C.I.C.C.

Since 2002, Most Since 2002, Most serious criminals for: serious criminals for: a)a) GenocideGenocide

b)b) War crimesWar crimes

c)c) Crimes against Crimes against humanityhumanity

Environmental LawEnvironmental Law Water – Oceans; close to Water – Oceans; close to

anarchyanarchy Air – Air –

A) Climate Change; little A) Climate Change; little agreementagreement

B) Space; less agreementB) Space; less agreement Land - SovereigntyLand - Sovereignty

Hundreds of others…Hundreds of others…

Bilateral treaties Bilateral treaties on:on:

Tech sharing, postal, Tech sharing, postal, fishing, defense, fishing, defense, weather, visas, weather, visas, aviation, customs, aviation, customs, extradition, extradition, property, property, telecommunication, telecommunication, terrorism, terrorism, copyrights…copyrights…