International Law Commons^™

Modern War, Nonstate Actors And The Geneva Conventions: No Longer Fit For Purpose?, Dr. Waseem Ahmad Qureshi

San Diego International Law Journal

Many enduring armed conflicts of the last couple of decades have displaced millions of civilians, giving rise to refugee predicaments around the globe. These wars caused many civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian objects, utterly disregarding the protection offered under the Geneva Conventions. Between the rise in violence and the underlying violations of humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions have lost their significance. Thus, it must be considered whether the Geneva Conventions matter anymore with regard to their effectiveness and efficiency. If the Geneva Conventions are still relevant, then who is responsible for violations of humanitarian law? Further, when states …

The United States Ban On Tourism To Cuba, Frank J. Vandall

San Diego International Law Journal

The purpose of this Article is to evaluate the United States ban on Americans’ touring Cuba. This Article begins with the history of the United States’ tumultuous relations with Cuba over the past 60 years, then it explores the specific language of the ban and the reasons presented for it. Additionally, the Article considers the impact of the new law on both the United States and Cuba and concludes with an argument for lifting the ban and returning to the policy of normalization that preexisted the declaration.

Protection Of Witnesses And Sensitive Information In U.K. Criminal Prosecutions, Eric Waage

San Diego International Law Journal

This Article examines the film Closed Circuit, as it portrays the legal issues surrounding a British judge’s decision to hold a hearing in camera. As in the United States, holding in camera hearings safeguards the use of witnesses and protects confidential information before it is shared with all parties to a criminal case or the jury. Closed Circuit accurately portrays some aspects of the United Kingdom’s legal standards that govern these hearings including the judicial deference to the Crown’s national security interests, the appointment of cleared special counsel to represent the accused, and the use of pseudonyms to protect …

Why Not Loan Instead Of Loot? A Preventative Proposal Regarding The Illicit Trade Of Antiquities In A World Of Terrorism, Rachel Geagea

San Diego International Law Journal

This Comment provides a comprehensive and preventative solution to the destruction of antiquities at the hands of non-state actors. The solution is a customizable loan agreement that works in tandem with existing international legislation. It can be changed to meet the needs of unique situations and can be incorporated into the existing international agreements. However, its focus is prevention, not criminal litigation. The idea is to make this agreement available to governments, museums, and private actors who wish to participate in the protection of at-risk artifacts by removing them from the areas of conflict to safe environments ideal for conservation. …

Yes, Chickens Have Feelings Too. The Recognition Of Animal Sentience Will Address Outdated Animal Protection Laws For Chickens And Other Poultry In The United States, Jessica Park

San Diego International Law Journal

The cages on the truck rattle vigorously with every bump and crevice on the road. The sun continues to blaze while a young, oversized chicken barely finds the strength to stand upright. It cannot support its own hormone-induced weight, and it is crammed against the corner after losing a battle with other chickens for more space. Over twenty-four hours have elapsed since its last meal or drink.

Chickens have adapted and grown alongside the development and industrialization of the United States, and their companionship even predates the official creation of the nation itself. The current state of animal welfare legislation …

Applying The "War On Terror" To The "War On Drugs:" The Legal Implications And Benefits Of Recategorizing Latin American Drug Cartels As Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Madison Standon

San Diego International Law Journal

This Comment analyzes, and ultimately rejects, the proposal for reclassifying Latin American Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Section I provides a brief history about the War on Drugs, the ineffectiveness of the policies implemented to combat the War on Drugs, and a brief history about the War on Terror. Section II discusses applicable international and domestic laws, including the Geneva Conventions, international human rights law, U.S. terrorism laws, U.S. drug laws, and U.S. case law. Section III considers whether Latin American Drug Cartels can be recategorized as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under current the current statutory scheme, analyzes how international …

22-1, 2020 Masthead

San Diego International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

China’S Bri In Central Eastern European Countries: “17+1” Connectivity, Divisiveness, Or Pathway To Eu-China Fta?, Ronald C. Brown

San Diego International Law Journal

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to embrace and connect China with European Union (EU) Member countries; the latest in 2019 with Italy, a G-7 member, also joining. EU members participating in the BRI include Poland, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia. While Germany and France lead the EU in trade and investment with China, political winds may be blowing. The EU has noticed that the seventeen Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) under the “17+1” format, a majority of which are EU members, are capturing greater amounts of Chinese trade under their BRI …

Re-Conceptualizing The International Human Right To Health: An Analysis Of The Trends In Developing And Developed Countries’ Responses To Substance Use Disorders, Leonard Mukosi

San Diego International Law Journal

This Article juxtaposes addiction paradigms seen in the United States of America and Zimbabwe, two countries with diametrically dissimilar political, economic, and social systems. Thus, an insight is provided by this Article into how developing and developed countries are transitioning from punitive to curative approaches in addressing the problem of drug addiction. Positing that addiction is a health condition, this Article recognizes the optimum realization of the addict’s right to health is best met if the required international standards of health are implemented nationally to insure, treat, and evaluate addiction like other chronic illnesses.

Drug addiction is a brain disease …

Designing A Standard Assets Registration System To Reduce Corruption In Afghanistan: What Afghanistan Can Learn From Examining Model Assets Declaration Systems, Zalmay Mallyar

San Diego International Law Journal

Corruption in Afghanistan has emerged as one the greatest challenges to strengthening national and subnational governance and rebuilding a transparent and accountable system public services. One way that corrupt actors in Afghanistan have perpetuated corrupt practices is through hiding assets. Currently, Afghanistan has no specific mechanism or system for implementing or overseeing the declaration of assets—even though it has committed to creating an assets declaration criteria system as a means to fight corruption under Article 154 of the Afghan Constitution, Article 12 of the Anti-Corruption Strategy act, and various international treaties. This paper recommends that that Afghanistan seek to create …

Refocusing The United States’ Perspective Of China And The South China Sea, Gaaret Marinelli

San Diego International Law Journal

There is a shift in world power that can be felt by world leaders and ordinary citizens alike, and its movement will realign the rest of the world. Since its rise to a great world power after World War II, the United States has maintained its position as the world’s predominant leader, both militarily and economically. However, this dominance is threatened by a formidable challenger. A rapidly ascending China is challenging the United States’ military and economic power, but the United States is not adequately positioned to meet this challenge. Some scholars theorize that China and the United States are …

The Costs Of Squadding Up: Determining The Employment Status Of High-Profile Esports Streamers, Chandler Martin

San Diego International Law Journal

This Comment focuses on the employment relationship of esports competitors signed to high profile teams. Specifically, players who are signed to an esports clan and stream their content live. Section II provides general background about esports, focusing on its rise and structure. This section also outlines some additional, common issues facing players. Next, it looks at South Korea’s esports industry and the steps their government has taken to protect esports players. Lastly, the section concludes with a rationale on why further analysis into the employment status of content creators signed to a clan adds to the existing literature.

Section III …

Remedies For United States-Mexico Cross-Border Incidents, Sebastian A. Navarro

San Diego International Law Journal

Countries that share borders inevitably encounter issues with each other. The United States and Mexico, however, face a uniquely complicated issue: United States federal officers standing in United States territory have shot and killed individuals standing in Mexican territory, generating much tension between the United States and Mexico. Some believe that a remedy for cross-border incidents is best addressed through litigation in United States federal courts, particularly through common law causes of action that afford monetary compensation based on claims of constitutional violations. This issue was recently addressed in part by the United States Supreme Court.

Nonetheless, there are numerous …

Sanctuary, Safe Harbor And Aylum, But Is It Available For Domestic Violence Victims? The Analysis Of Domestic Violence Asylum Seekers In The United States And Internationally, Lauren Lee

San Diego International Law Journal

This Comment aims to interpret the United States’ asylum laws that impact domestic violence victims and analyze the effect they have both domestically and globally on those victims. Additionally, this Comment will analyze and compare Sweden, Germany, and Canada’s asylum laws and policies with United States’ asylum laws and policies in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the effects these countries’ asylum laws have on their societies. Finally, this Comment will provide judicial and legislative recommendations to replace the current United States asylum policy with one that incorporates a domestic violence victim’s right to be granted asylum or receive …

Bettering The Best Interest Test: End-Of-Life Treatment Decisions For Young Children, Cassandra Dougherty

San Diego International Law Journal

The Comment will compare the laws governing end-of-life care for minors in the United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, and the United States; it will explore cases like Tinslee’s that have illustrated the disagreements between guardians and physicians over end-of-life treatment decisions for critically ill children, and it will focus on two prominent British cases. The Comment will examine the historical influences and motivations of the diverse legal schemes and how different legal systems address the relevant issues. It will conclude by proposing a model standard.

Parts I and II will explore the two pivotal concerns in determining who should make the …

V. 21-2, 2020 Masthead

San Diego International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Performing "Legality" In The Theatre Of Hostilities: Asymmetric Conflict, Lawfare And The Rise Of Vicarious Litigation, Prof. Dr. Nikolas M. Rajkovic

San Diego International Law Journal

This Article explores the extent of the change by looking at the ways in which asymmetric conflict and legalization have reshaped the theatre of hostilities and the implications for the institution of war itself. The shift from one literal battlefield to multiple and disaggregated battlespaces has led to a reconfigured theatre of hostilities, which now involves a complex mix of local and global spaces as well as kinetic and narrative forms of combat. This re-making of armed hostilities in geographical, material, and social terms has increased access to the drama, stage, and audience of military theatres. Further, the more globalized …

Restricting Your Right To Boycott: Free Speech Implications Regarding Legislation Targeting The Boycott, Divestment, And Sanctions (Bds) Movement In The United States And The European Union, Jad Essayli

San Diego International Law Journal

On December 11, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13899, which directs government agencies charged with enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to adopt a distorted definition of antisemitism intended to censor advocacy for Palestinian rights. The order conflates political criticism of the state of Israel with antisemitism—the primary reason why past attempts to pass similar legislation in Congress have consistently failed. Nonetheless, this uniliteral action taken by the President to redefine antisemitism as a means to censure criticism of Israeli polices raises genuine legal concern. Particularly considering that the same year, on February 4, 2019, the United …

V.21-1 2019 Masthead

San Diego International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Roman Law And Global Constitutionalism, Rafael Domingo

San Diego International Law Journal

The parallel between contemporary issues and Roman history often fascinates and illuminates. In this Article, I argue how Roman law can serve today as an inspiration toward global constitutionalism given it was one of the several sources of inspiration for the American founders. Looking to Roman law helps reduce certain prejudices derived from the current privileging of the sovereign state and the positivist paradigm as the only genuine and possible models for international law. These prejudices constitute an actual hindrance to the right development of global constitutionalism. Global constitutionalism inherently moves beyond sovereignty, nationalism, and positivism. Roman law enables constitutionalists …

The Efficacy, Limitations, And Continued Need For Authorizations For Use Of Military Force, Waseem Ahmad Qureshi

San Diego International Law Journal

In the fight against ISIS, the U.S. has conducted airstrikes, deployed forces, supported rebellions, trained nonstate actors, and used military funds in Iraq and Syria. This fight has raised questions regarding the validity of U.S. authority to use force against ISIS. Imperialists, comprising the U.S. president and a few congressmen, seek to fight ISIS and believe that the authority to use force against ISIS comes from the independent presidential executive powers and Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) in 2001 and 2002. Contrary to their legal conviction and justifications, imperialists are seeking a new AUMF from Congress to be …

Is The Law Of War Changing In The Twenty-First Century?, Waseem Ahmad Qureshi

San Diego International Law Journal

The main purpose of drafting the law of war was to maintain peace and security around the world. That is why the current legal framework prohibits the use of force, except in accordance with the right to self-defence or with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) authorization. Yet, this century has been in a perpetual state of war. In the past, there have been certain deviations from this proscription on the use of force through the introduction of notions like ‘pre-emptive self-defence’ and the ‘responsibility to protect’ (R2P), according to which states could use unilateral force against other states without UNSC …

Fcpa Actions In China And China’S Anti-Bribery Law, Yu Chen

San Diego International Law Journal

In recent decades, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has greatly improved its enforcement of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Some of these FCPA enforcement cases involve China. Given China’s prominence as a center of global business, this trend is likely to increase in the foreseeable future.

Section I of this Article briefly reviews the provisions of the FCPA, and recent FCPA enforcement in China. Section II discusses China’s anti- bribery law regime, anti-bribery provisions and agencies enforcing bribery and corruption. Section III focuses on an analysis of FCPA cases involving China, in addition to describing the …

Adapting The Iss Code Of Conduct To Form The Foundation Of Astrolaw, Michelle L.D. Hanlon

San Diego International Law Journal

Three decades ago, Dr. J. Henry Glazer, onetime Chief Counsel for NASA Ames, proposed the establishment of a body of astrolaw. “The direct subjects of Space Law are sovereign nations” he observed. The four widely ratified space treaties contain principles and guidelines designed to govern the activities of State. Conversely, the direct subjects of astrolaw would be natural and legal persons in space. In Dr. Glazer’s view, “astrolaw focuses not upon space as a legal regime, but upon space as a place.” Our evolution into a spacefaring species, with single and then multiple human communities off-Earth, is a human necessity. …

Living Links Connecting The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Small-Scale Farmers And Agricultural Biodiversity, Susan H. Bragdon

San Diego International Law Journal

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 adopted by the global community in September 2015 are applicable to all countries with the commitment “that no one is left behind.” As an agenda for “people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership”, Agenda 2030 provides a vision for people and planet-centered, human rights-based, and gender-sensitive sustainable development. It promises “more peaceful and inclusive societies” which are free from fear and violence.

Small scale farmers and agricultural biodiversity are critical to the achievement of aspects of most of the SDGs. In addition to being essential for the resilience and stability of agricultural …

Fourth- And Fifth-Generation Warfare: Technology And Perceptions, Waseem Ahmad Qureshi

San Diego International Law Journal

The composition of warfare is changing. There is an increasing transformation in the traditional aspects of waging a war: conventional techniques of warfare are in decline and newer tactics and tools of warfare, such as information warfare, asymmetric warfare, media propaganda, and hybrid warfare, are filling the gap, blurring the lines between combatant and noncombatant, and between wartime and peacetime. The basic framework of modern warfare was elaborated by Carl von Clausewitz in his magnus opus On War. He defined modern warfare between states as “a duel on larger scale,” and explained its purpose as “a continuation of politics by …

U.S. Tax Policy In Light Of Globalization And Growing Inequality, Alanna D'Alessandro

San Diego International Law Journal

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly reformed the system of taxation in the United States by enacting permanent and temporary provisions to the Internal Revenue Code. These provisions encompass changes affecting U.S. individuals and entities, both domestically and internationally. Claiming that the change would “pay for itself,” the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act intends to stimulate the economy. The large tax cuts may have created short-term economic growth; however predictions suggest that in the long-run, the increased spending and the decline in tax revenue will significantly raise the U.S. budget deficit.

Regardless of Congressional intent, the Tax Cuts and …

Pay Her More! How Sex And Motherhood Play A Role In The Unequal Pay Of Women On The World Stage, Raquel S. Zilbeman

San Diego International Law Journal

“[O]vert pay discrimination between women and men” is what typically comes to mind when one thinks about the gender wage gap. While women often ask for “equal pay for equal work,” gender discrimination is only responsible for a small amount of the pay gap. “The gender wage gap is also about choice and opportunity. . . . [It is] rooted in [global] social norms about women[,] family [and motherhood which constantly change and evolve—making it] much harder to solve.” It is grounded in the way our society has evolved over the last one hundred and fifty years, during which more …

Don’T Tip The Melting Pot: A Case Study Of The U.S., U.K., And Denmark’S Use Of Anti-Immigration Laws To Shift Blame For Real Social And Economic Problems To Immigrants And The Economic And Legal Impacts Of Their Use, Nicole Logan

San Diego International Law Journal

This Article consists of four parts that lay the framework and analyze extreme immigration legislation and anti-immigration sentiments in the U.S., U.K., and Denmark. Part I focuses on the history of immigration and anti-immigration sentiments in the three countries. Part II discusses governing laws in the three countries that have received the most attention because of their extreme impact on immigrants. Part III analyzes these laws, focusing on their legal ramifications, discriminatory effects on immigrants, and economic harm. Finally, Part IV explains why these laws reflect an extreme approach to immigration and raise serious legal questions if they are not …

Don’T Google It: The European Union’S Antitrust Parade (“Enforcement”) Against America’S Tech Giants, Mariah Witt

San Diego International Law Journal

This Article details several case studies, each exemplifying the EU’s pro- competition practices versus the American monopoly-like corporations of Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. The EU claims that each of these companies have abused their dominant position in their respective markets. Many companies (including those not listed in this comment) that have faced the EU’s antitrust wrath are merely the successful giants of their field, who should be enjoying their success, not sitting in fear of success’s implications in the global arena. This comment will conclude with a warning to future American corporations on the path to monopoly-like power and status …