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Articles on International law

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International Court of Justice President Joan Donoghue, center, and other judges arrive prior to the preliminary order announcement on Jan. 26, 2024. Remko De Waal/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

UN court ruling against Israel shows limits of legal power to prevent genocide − but rapid speed

While the International Court of Justice lacks enforcement powers, its new provisional measure could heighten pressure on both Israel and Hamas to save civilian lives and free the hostages in Gaza.
Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Western moral credibility is dying along with thousands of Gaza citizens

The West no longer has credibility when it criticizes Russia, China or any other state for human rights abuses or breaches of international law due to its feeble response to Israel’s assault on Gaza.
Judges take their seats prior to the hearing of Israel’s defense at the International Court of Justice on Jan. 12, 2024. Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images

What enforcement power does the International Court of Justice have in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel?

While the International Court of Justice lacks enforcement powers, it can issue orders that could heighten international pressure on Israel to curtail some of its offensive in Gaza.
A memorial is left inside a bomb shelter near the Supernova music festival, where eyewitnesses reported Hamas members gang-raping and killing women. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Hamas’ use of sexual violence is an all-too-common part of modern war − but not in all conflicts

Sexual violence can be used as a weapon of war. Hamas’ use of sexual violence was likely meant to show its power over Israeli women and girls and to humiliate Israeli men and Israel’s military.
A woman prays in front of skulls at a memorial in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, marking the genocide that happened under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP via Getty Images

The landmark Genocide Convention has had mixed results since the UN approved it 75 years ago

While the Genocide Convention has helped raise awareness and prevent ethnic violence from escalating, it has not stopped many accusations of genocides, including violence in Darfur and in Ukraine.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pose for a photo at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November 2023 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

How to encourage China to become a law-abiding member of the rules-based international order

Global human rights is an area where Chinese officials are willing to engage with the international community and could provide a window of opportunity towards further progress in the future.

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