The Notion of International Law

International law is a body of laws, regulations, and accepted practices by which different nations throughout the world interact with each other as well as with their own citizens and citizens of other countries. There are two basic categories of International Law, Public International Law and Private International Law, although the two tend to overlap frequently. Public International Law deals withrelationships between different nations or between a nation and persons from another country. Private International Law generally deals with individual concerns, such as civil or human rights issues, not only between a government and its own citizens but also in how its citizens are treated by other nations.

International law is developed and agreed upon by those that make up the international system, but not every nation state is a member or has a part in the process. Most nations are said to comply with International Law, but that appears questionable considering the number of human rights violations still occurring around the world. While the international community does attempt to hold all nations to International Law, it is not always feasible. Force may be necessary in order to ensure compliance, and the international community is generally against the use of force except in the direst circumstances.

There are also cultural issues that play a part in acceptance of and compliance with International Law. Some nations have a theocratic, or religious, government rather than a secular one and feel more bound to the tenets of their faith than to man-made law. In some cases, what most of the world views as human rights violations according to International law, may be viewed by some nations as acceptable actions or punishments prescribed by religion. This can create very sensitive situations.

The United Nations (UN) is probably the most well recognized of all international institutions. It has influence over the world community as a whole as well as individual nation. The UN is supposed to establish and protect peace and cooperation between nations and to ensure that people are treated humanely by their own as well as by other governments and groups.

Exercises.

1. Give Russian equivalents of the following:

a body of laws

accepted practices

Private International Law

interact with each other

to comply with International Law

human rights violations

force may be necessary

cultural issues

a theocratic government

sensitive situations

acceptable actions

UN

influence over the world community

to establish and protect peace and cooperation between nations

to treat humanely

2. Suggest the English for:

понятие о международном праве

публичное международное право

иметь отношение

отношения между различными нациями

заботы, проблемы граждан

сомнительный

происходящие в мире

не всегда осуществимо

международное сообщество

против применения силы

играть роль в принятии и выполнении международного права

в соответствии с (согласно) международным правом

международная организация

3. Match two parts of the sentences in two columns:

1.	Public International Law deals with	a)	those that make up the international system.
2.	Private International Law deals with	b)	but it is not always feasible.
3.	International law is developed and agreed upon by	c)	relationships between different nations or between a nation and persons from another country.
4.	The international community does attempt to hold all nations to International Law	d)	peace and cooperation between nations.
5.	The UN is supposed to establish and protect	e)	individual concerns, such as civil or human rights issues, not only between a government and its own citizens but also in how its citizens are treated by other nations.

4. Answer the following questions:

1. What is International Law?

2. What are the two basic categories of International Law?

3. What does Public International Law deal with?

4. What is Private International Law related to?

5. Is every nation state complied with the International Law?

6. When may force be necessary?

7. What are the main issues in International Law?

8. What is the difference between a secular government and a theocratic one?

9. What is the most well recognized international institution?

10. What is the mission of UN?

5. Imagine that you are a student of Monterey College of Law in California. Today your professor is going to lecture about “The International Law Fundamentals”. Before lecturing the professor asks your group if you know anything about International Law. Share your knowledge on this topic from Text 1.

TEXT 2

Read the text paying attention to the italicized words and describe the domains of and sources of International Law.

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Дата добавления: 2015-07-20