International Criminal Court starts first war crimes trial Today the trial of Thomas Lubanga at the International Criminal Court (ICC) will (finally) begin. After much confusion and delay inter alia regarding the issue of disclosure of evidence from the prosecutor to the defence/judges of the court (we reported earlier here, here and …
Leer »New judges at the International Criminal Court
New judges at the International Criminal Court At the seventh session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which opened on 19th January at the UN Headquarters in New York, six members of the ICC were elected (see press release). 1. SHAHABUDDEEN, …
Leer »The Two Faces of the Genocide Convention
The Two Faces of the Genocide Convention In keeping with Christmas spirit, here’s my next post on the Genocide Convention. Can a state be responsible for genocide? What does that even mean? Aren’t international crimes, in the sage words of the Nuremberg Tribunal, committed by men, not by abstract entities? …
Leer »Proceedings instituted by the Federal Republic of Germany against the Italian Republic
Application NEW Proceedings instituted by the Federal Republic of Germany against the Italian Republic (Germany v. Italy) – Application Instituting Proceedings (1 Mb)Read more … [via International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands]
Leer »EU court annuls counter-terrorist measure of the European Union
EU court annuls counter-terrorist measure of the European Union On 4 December the Court of First Instance delivered its judgment in the matter People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (”PMOI”) v Council of the European Union (Case T?284/08), where it declares one of the EU’s key instruments for the “fight against …
Leer »An International Environmental Law Court?
An International Environmental Law Court? It is well-known that the issue of enforcement remains the Achilles heel of international law in general and international environmental law in particular. Given the rate with which natural resources are depleted and the number of species facing extinction is increasing the issue of enforcement …
Leer »Czech Constitutional Court gives green light to the Lisbon Treaty
Czech Constitutional Court gives green light to the Lisbon Treaty Today the Czech Constitutional Court rendered its much awaited decision on the relationship between the Czech constitution and the Lisbon Treaty. The Court decided that “[t]he Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and Treaty on establishing the European Community and …
Leer »Judgment of 18 November 2008
Judgment of 18 November 2008 NEW Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Croatia v. Serbia) – Preliminary Objections (317 Kb)Read more … [via International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands]
Leer »Another new case for the International Court of Justice
Another new case for the International Court of Justice The list of cases pending before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) continues to grow. Yesterday (17 November 2008) a new case was added to the docket when the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRM) instituted proceedings against Greece. The case …
Leer »Election of judges to the International Court of Justice
Election of judges to the International Court of Justice Last week, the General Assembly and the Security Council elected five new members of the International Court of Justice (see press release). The elected judges are: Judge Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh (Jordan) and Ronny Abraham (France) who were both re-elected. Messrs. Antônio …
Leer »Annual report of the ICJ and ICC
Annual report of the ICJ and ICC On October 30, the President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Rosalyn Higgins, and the President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Philippe Kirsch, addressed the United Nations General Assembly and presented the annual report for their respective courts. Judge Higgins was …
Leer »The Occupation of the Gaza Strip and the continued renouncement of responsibility
The Occupation of the Gaza Strip and the continued renouncement of responsibility A recent judgment of the Israeli Supreme Court in the case of HCJ 10265/05 Physicians for Human Rights v Defense Minister (judgment of 7 October 2008) reexamines a number of questions concerning not only the status of the …
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