PO102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Contract, Human Rights Watch
Document Summary
A promise between countries, finalized in writing and signed. We see violations: when stakes are high and penalties are low. Legally binding, but some have opt-out clauses, allowing for legal withdrawal. Customer practice of states followed from a sense of legal obligation . Some state behavior becomes generally accepted practice, with the status of law. General principles of law that are recognized by civilized nations . Similar to natural law : belief that some acts are right and some acts are wrong. Legal beliefs, and practices common to all developed legal systems become a standard of international law. Invasion of kuwait 1990 violated international law. Illegal because under custom had been living in peace breach of custom. The written arguments of judges and lawyers around the world. Last resort if other sources of law have not settled the issue. Decisions of world court and national courts are considered.
