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Full-Text Articles in Law

The Law On Lethal Force Begins With The Right To Life, Mary Ellen O'Connell Jan 2016

The Law On Lethal Force Begins With The Right To Life, Mary Ellen O'Connell

Journal Articles

In August 2015, the UK government intentionally killed a criminal suspect and the bystanders with him using a drone-launched Hellfire missile in Syria. In doing so, the UK violated the right to life of all three men because the UK had no lawful basis for deploying military force in Syria. Even if it did, international humanitarian law, governing the conduct of armed conflict, prohibits assassination – the intentional killing of an individual for reasons other than advancing a legitimate military objective. In any actual cases of ambiguity, the legal presumption in international law is with peace and protection of the …


Historical Development And Legal Basis, Mary O'Connell Jan 2013

Historical Development And Legal Basis, Mary O'Connell

Book Chapters

Although the subject of this Handbook is the law applicable to the conduct of hostilities that applies once a party has entered into armed conflict (the jus in bello), that law cannot be properly understood without some examination of the separate body of rules which determines when resort to armed force is permissible (the jus ad bellum). The jus ad bellum has ancient origins but current law is founded on Article 2(4) and Chapter VII of the UN Charter.


The Choice Of Law Against Terrorism, Mary Ellen O'Connell Jan 2010

The Choice Of Law Against Terrorism, Mary Ellen O'Connell

Journal Articles

The Obama administration has continued to apply the wartime paradigm first developed by the Bush administration after 9/11 to respond to terrorism. In cases of trials before military commissions, indefinite detention, and targeted killing, the U.S. has continued to claim wartime privileges even with respect to persons and situations far from any battlefield. This article argues that both administrations have made a basic error in the choice of law. Wartime privileges may be claimed when armed conflict conditions prevail as defined by international law. These privileges are not triggered by declarations or policy preferences.


Beyond Wealth: Stories Of Art, War, And Greed, Mary Ellen O'Connell Jan 2008

Beyond Wealth: Stories Of Art, War, And Greed, Mary Ellen O'Connell

Journal Articles

The article tells three stories of great art and priceless antiquities: one about early Christian mosaics from Cyprus, another about five paintings by the Viennese master, Gustav Klimt, and the third about an ancient statute of a Sumerian king from Iraq. All three stories discuss the international law protecting cultural heritage in time of war and occupation. They all tell of individuals pursuing extraordinary profits from the sale of the objects despite the international law that, properly applied, should have protected them from damage and kept them all in places of public display.

The article also tells how in each …


International Decisions: Well Blowout Control Claim. Un Doc. S/Ac.2/Dec.40, 36 Ilm 1343 (1997). United Nations Compensation Commission, Governing Council, December 17, 1996., Roger P. Alford Jan 1998

International Decisions: Well Blowout Control Claim. Un Doc. S/Ac.2/Dec.40, 36 Ilm 1343 (1997). United Nations Compensation Commission, Governing Council, December 17, 1996., Roger P. Alford

Journal Articles

The UN Compensation Commission Governing Council held Iraq liable for oil field damages in Kuwait, including damage caused by Allied bombing because a direct link existed between Iraqi conduct and the damage. The panel held that reasonable expenses can include extraordinary costs because Kuwait took reasonable steps in mitigating its expenses. Salaries to permanent Kuwaiti personnel are not a direct result of Iraq's conduct and cannot be reimbursed.