030516 KU International Organisations (2021W)

The proliferation of international (or intergovernmental) organizations is an indicator of the internationalization of social life and the interdependence of states in the early 21st century. This course will examine the principal legal issues concerning international organizations. These include the legal status and powers of organizations, issues of membership and participation, norm-creation, dispute settlement, the enforcement of decisions, peace and security activities, and finally the organizations’ privileges and immunities as well as their legal status and powers under domestic law.

At the same time, the course will also address such real world issues as the creation of international criminal courts, the “succession” of Russia to the USSR’s seat on the UN Security Council, the response to the break-up of Yugoslavia, the jurisdictional issues in the Lockerbie-case, the possibility of judicial review of acts of the UN Security Council, targeted sanctions, the success of and current threat to WTO dispute settlement, NATO action against Serbia in 1999 and against Libya in 2011, the military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq in the aftermath of 9/11, UN administration of Kosovo and East Timor, successes and failures of peacekeeping efforts, etc.

Primary consideration will be given to the development of the United Nations. Other universal organizations such as the ILO, the Bretton Woods institutions, the WTO or the ICAO, as well as regional ones such as the Council of Europe, the EU, and others will also be dealt with. This course does not try to provide a comprehensive picture of all of these organizations. Rather, it aims at helping students understand the common legal problems raised by international organizations.