Law Commons^™

One Country, Two State Immunity Doctrines: A Pluralistic Depiction Of The Congo Case, Chien-Huei

chien-huei wu

This article explores the space for a restrictive state immunity doctrine applicable in Hong Kong in light of its status as a special administrative region of China. After reviewing China’s longstanding position, its domestic legislation and its signature of the UNJISTP, it finds China’s policy shift from conventional absolute state immunity doctrine to a restrictive one. Nonetheless, such shift is not reflected in the Congo case. After examining the rulings of the CFI, CA and CFA, it argues that state immunity is a question of law to be interpreted by the courts. The competence to adopt a different state immunity …

A World Of Choices, David Wirth

David A. Wirth

In this keynote address, David Wirth identifies fundamental and dynamic attributes of globalisation, examines the need to confront institutional failures and systemic challenges of multilateral governance, and offers some preliminary observations on directions in which global governance might evolve to achieve salutary outcomes that are good for all.

Process For The Dispossessed: Procedural Rights From Magna Carta To Modern International Law, Mark Drumbl

Mark A. Drumbl

No abstract provided.

Towards A New Democratic Africa: The African Union Charter On Democracy, Elections And Governance, Stacy-Ann Elvy

Stacy-Ann Elvy

The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (“ADC”) recently entered into force on February 15, 2012. The main goal of the ADC is the encouragement and promotion of democracy and human rights on the African continent. The ADC is the first binding regional instrument adopted by member states of the African Union (“AU”) that attempts to comprehensively address all of the elements necessary for the establishment of liberal democracies. The ADC also contains a number of expansive provisions regarding unconstitutional changes of government. For instance, the ADC is the first legal instrument adopted by member states of the AU …

Imfing With Your Economic Rights: The Greek Tragedy Of The Eurozone, James C. Brady

James C Brady

While international human rights law promulgates that economic, social and cultural rights (economic rights) be supported just as fervently as civil and political rights, the reality is, they are not. The Greek debt crisis and resulting austerity measures demonstrate how a growing world economy is having an increasingly large impact on economic rights. States treat economic rights obligations similar to how businesses treat risk – that is, states seek to reduce their obligations like businesses seek to reduce their risk. As a result, economic rights remain second fiddle to their civil/political counterpart and a victim of supranational monetary monoliths like …

Impunity Writ Large: A Study Of Crimes Committed During Anti-Veerappan Operations, Saumya Uma

Dr. Saumya Uma

The Effects Of The Lubanga Case On Understanding And Preventing Child Soldiering, Mark A. Drumbl

Mark A. Drumbl

On March 14, 2012, a trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) convicted Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, a rebel leader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for child-soldier-related crimes. Several months later, Lubanga was sentenced to a prison term of fourteen years. On August 7, 2012, an ICC trial chamber issued its decision regarding the principles and procedures to be applied to reparations in the Lubanga case. This Article unpacks the relationships between the Lubanga proceedings and how the international community conceptualizes, and strives to prevent, child soldiering. This Article argues that the Lubanga proceedings reinforce, and incubate, …

A Triumph Of Ill Conceived Language: The Linguistic Origins Of Guantamo’S “Rough Justice”, Brian Christopher Jones

Brian Christopher Jones

Throughout the years, the Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay has witnessed an abundance of intriguing linguistic words and phrases. For example, “Freedom Vanilla” replaced French Vanilla ice cream in the mess hall, and the area where journalists and others were often sequestered during their visits to the base was re-named “Camp Justice.” The list goes on. However, the language that has had the most significant impact throughout the years has been the words and phrases used in the administration of justice regarding the detainees being held on terrorism charges.Wall St. Journal Supreme Court reporter Jess Bravin’s book, The Terror Courts: …

Negotiating With ‘Bulimic Man’: The (F)Utility Of Engaging Iran, Amit Chhabra

Amit Chhabra

In the aftermath of the World Trade Center bombings of September 11, 2001 (“9/11”), the American psyche has been inordinately consumed with the notion of terror and global jihad against Western culture. Even before these dramatic events, though, our unique sense of humor has traditionally emboldened us to enjoy a good scare. When terror strikes in the real world, then, we are readily at attention. Increasingly since the advent of the television, this aspect of our collective psychology has been commoditized by Hollywood and politicized at election time. The fact that Halloween traditionally falls less than a week before Election …