The International Legal System In Quest Of Equity And Universality

Georges Abi-Saab began his writing and teaching at a time when the process of decolonization, and thereafter the quest for emancipation, began to make its far-reaching impact on the international scene, producing significant changes in the international environment, both quantitatively in increasing the number of nation-States and qualitatively in changing patterns of interests and claims. This was bound to result in new pressures on the international legal system itself and in a questioning of the traditional Eurocentric content of international law. In his work and teaching Professor Abi-Saab viewed the dynamics of international law as a function of two driving forces: the emergence of the third world and the sense of injustice. In his view, the first driving force - the emergence of the third world - raised the problem of exclusion: exclusion from participation in the elaboration of international law and the decision-making process, and exclusion as beneficiaries of the resulting rules of international law. At the same time, this new force introduced diversity into the international scene, reflecting the richness of the international community in its different facets. This process remains relevant today, reflecting the contemporary problem of exclusion of new actors as well as their quest for participation. The second driving force - the sense of injustice - posed a teleological problem for him, that of defining community values in order that they capture the different facets of justice, whether formal or distributive. So long as there is no effective organic structure, international law in his view will continue to remain effectiveness-oriented, reflecting rather than impacting on the structures of power. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that there is an on-going process of development of community values and interests; as Georges Abi-Saab wrote with reference to international crimes: `law, like all social phenomena, is a continuous unfolding, a continuous process of elaboration'. He has also considered that the dynamics of the international legal process itself can be captured from the perspective of international organizations as vehicles for change in the international system. From his early writings, Georges Abi-Saab approached the United Nations Charter as a blueprint - both normative and institutional - for a certain type of international society. International institutions with all their imperfections, continue for him to be the means of realization of the law of cooperation which lies at the heart of his concept of the international system. The themes selected for this volume in honour of Professor Georges Abi-Saab are intended to reflect his unique and pioneering contribution to the field of international law. The contributors are drawn from what he has always considered to be his large `family' of former students: in his forty years of teaching, Georges Abi-Saab has acted as mentor to generations of students from all over the world who have benefited from his vision, insights, originality and creative and stimulating use of language. The contributors also include colleagues and friends who share a similar vision of the international legal system.

Universalising international law is one of the most urgent tasks awaiting those who wish to advance the discipline. Though all the world acknowledges its universal nature, it has long been confined in a largely monocultural mould. Indeed a tendency is sometimes discernible for international law to be compartmentalised and to function within a close cabinet of technical rules little known to those outside the ranks of specialists. This volume looks initially at some general aspects of universalisation. It thereafter adopts a universalist approach to some of the sources of international law and it deals with peace, the bedrock of international law, which likewise requires a universalist approach. It is hoped that these studies will highlight the imperative need that now exists for extending the conceptual framework of international law, thereby buttressing its moral authority and widening its appeal at a time when universal acceptance of international law is one of the most pressing demands of the international system.

This Liber Amicorum in honour of Professor Vera Gowlland-Debbas covers most of the topical problems of contemporary international law, in particular those related to the United Nations, human rights and humanitarian law, law-making, compliance and peaceful settlement of disputes.

The crime of rape has been prevalent in all contexts, whether committed during armed conflict or in peacetime, and has largely been characterised by a culture of impunity. International law, through its branches of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law, has increasingly condemned such violence and is progressively obliging states to prevent rape, whether committed by a state agent or a private actor.

This collection of essays celebrating the work of Professor Marcelo Kohen brings together the leading scholars and practitioners of public international law from different continents and generations to explore some of the most challenging issues of contemporary international law. The volume is a testimony of esteem and friendship from colleagues and former students, and it covers a vast expanse, reflecting the width and diversity of Professor Kohen’s own contribution. Written in English, French and Spanish, the essays in this volume will appeal to a broad public of academics, practitioners and students of international law from around the world.

The only textbook in the area to take a Global South perspective, drawing on the expertise of the authors and bringing in perspectives from a leading judge in the field. International Law of Human Rights takes students through a rigorous exploration of the theoretical foundations and principles of the subject, alongside current practice and procedures.- Provides a unique Global South perspective, offering a broad view of the subject area.- Focuses on the historical and philosophical foundations of human rights before exploring global and regional systems for their protection, and key substantive rights.- Presents a clear and accurate account of current human rights law practice.- Deep discussion and thorough analysis supported by 'further reflections' and 'critical debate' sections, and summaries of key cases.- Insightful testimonial from the distinguished Judge Cançado Trindade helps to bring a complex discipline to life.- Also available as an e-book with features and links that offer extra learning support.

The UN Human Rights Treaty System: Law and Procedure examines the core UN human rights treaties that form the framework of international human rights law. This book describes the development of each treaty, along with the substantive rights enshrined in them, and analyses the nature and functions of their respective monitoring bodies. Topics discussed include periodic reporting procedures, investigative procedures and individual complaint procedures, with supporting case law analysed in great detail. This practical and indispensable reference resource: - Guides you through the structure of each of the core UN human rights treaties, explaining both the substance of the rights and the various procedures which may be drawn upon to implement those rights - Explains in detail how each of these procedures may be accessed, as well as critiquing their operation in practice - Covers a wide number of areas including civil and political rights generally, racial and gender-based discrimination and the prohibition against torture - Discusses proposals for reform of the UN human rights treaty monitoring system and the implications of these reforms The UN Human Rights Treaty System: Law and Procedure has been written for practitioners and students of human rights law in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Government bodies, non-governmental organisations, national human rights institutions and charities will also find this a great resource.

The Collected Courses of the Xiamen Academy of International Law contain the Summer Courses taught at the Xiamen Academy of International Law by highly qualified international legal professionals. The Fourth Volume of the Series contains the following articles: The Application of International Law by the International Court of Justice, Judge Abdul G. Koroma The first part of this contribution explains how Judicial settlement of disputes has long been recognized as central to the stability and functioning of the international order and the rule of law. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, plays a crucial role in the system established to this end by the Charter. The second part of the contribution discusses how the Court applies each of the sources of law contained in Article 38 of the Statute of the Court. Since the article's creation in 1920, Article 38 “has remained the principal text used by international lawyers in describing the sources, or origins of international law” . Prevention and International Law, M. Mohamed Bennouna Prevention in the context of globalization cannot take place only in the framework of State frontiers; international norms mechanisms and institutions are indispensable in order to strengthen cooperation between States to anticipate risks and prevent any prejudice to people and goods. This necessitates the adoption of appropriate obligations of prevention with the corresponding international responsibility. The development of an international law of prevention, as a process, has to be accompanied by judicial guarantees at national, regional and global levels. International Dispute Resolution, With Specific Attention to China, Christine Chinkin The lectures entitled International Dispute Resolution, with specific attention to China, first consider the concept of an international dispute and the development of the obligation on states to settle their disputes peacefully. They then examine the historical evolution and contemporary understandings of the mechanisms enumerated in United Nations Charter, Article 33 for the management and attempted resolution of such disputes which are currently available to states and other participants in the international arena: negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, mediation, arbitration and adjudication. Each of the processes is discussed in the historical, political and legal contexts of various international disputes, including the detention of the American hostages in Tehran, various aspects of the possession of nuclear weapons and the territorial dispute over Abyei. The lectures consider the respective advantages and disadvantages of these various mechanisms, the interplay between them, their effectiveness and the legal and policy issues that influence choices as to different approaches to resolution of international disputes. The Xiamen Academy of International Law aims to promote academic exchanges among legal communities across the globe, encourage examination of major international issues and, by so doing, seek ways to improve the possibilities for world peace and international cooperation. It seeks to achieve this aim by providing the highest level of education to individuals, particularly those from Asian countries, interested in the development and use of international law – persons such as young lecturers in international law, diplomats, practitioners of...