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In public international law, asylum refers to the protection granted by a state to foreign
nationals within its territory who are fleeing persecution or serious harm in their home country.
This protection is typically offered to individuals who fear persecution based on factors such as
race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Asylum is grounded in the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits states from returning
individuals to a country where they may face persecution or serious harm. The concept of
asylum is enshrined in various international treaties and conventions, including the 1951
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
Case law plays a crucial role in shaping the understanding and application of asylum in
international law. Notable cases and decisions from international tribunals and domestic courts
contribute to the development of legal principles and standards related to asylum. One
significant case is:
Refugee Case (Colombia v. Peru), 1950:
In this case, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) considered the asylum granted by Peru to
Colombian nationals who were involved in political activities. The ICJ affirmed the right of states
to grant asylum as a legitimate exercise of sovereign authority but emphasized that such
asylum should not be used as a means to interfere in the internal affairs of the state from which
the individuals sought refuge.
c) State succession
State succession in public international law refers to the process by which a new state comes
into existence or an existing state undergoes a significant change, leading to the emergence of
a new state. State succession can occur due to various reasons, such as the dissolution of a
state, the emergence of a new state through secession, or the merger of states. The legal
consequences of state succession are crucial in determining issues such as state continuity,
rights, and obligations.
Here are some key principles and case law examples related to state succession in public
international law:
1) Continuity of States:
The general principle is that a state continues to exist despite changes in its government,
territory, or other internal factors.
Case law: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirmed this principle in the "Barcelona
Traction" case (Belgium v. Spain, 1970).
2) Effective Control:
The concept of effective control is essential in determining which entity will be recognized
as the successor state.
Case law: The "Arbitral Award of 31 July 1989" (Canada v. France) recognized the
importance of effective control in state succession.
3) Treaties:
The Vienna Convention on Succession of States in Respect of Treaties (1978) provides
guidelines on how treaties are affected by state succession.
Case law: The "Trail Smelter Arbitration" (United States v. Canada, 1941) addressed the
issue of the continuity of treaty obligations after a change in sovereignty.
4) State Responsibility:
The issue of state responsibility for the acts of the predecessor state and the allocation of
debts and assets is crucial in state succession.
Case law: The "Responsibility for Injuries Case" (United States v. Germany, 1927) dealt with
the responsibility of the successor state for injuries caused by the predecessor state.
5) Recognition by Other States:
Recognition by other states is a significant factor in establishing the legal personality of a
new state.
Case law: The ICJ in the "South West Africa cases" (Ethiopia v. South Africa; Liberia v. South
Africa, 1966) addressed the issue of non-recognition of South Africa's administration of
South West Africa by certain states.
6) Secession:
The process of secession leading to the creation of a new state raises complex legal
questions.
Case law: While there isn't a specific case on secession, the ICJ's advisory opinion on
"Kosovo's Declaration of Independence" (2010) addressed issues related to the recognition
of a new state arising from secession.
c) theries of recognition
Recognition in public international law refers to the acknowledgment by states or international
actors of the legal status and rights of another entity, such as a state or government. There are
several theories and principles related to recognition in international law, and these have
evolved over time. Here are some key theories of recognition, along with relevant case law
examples:
1) Declaratory Theory:
According to the declaratory theory, recognition is considered a mere acknowledgment of
an existing state of affairs. Recognition does not create the state's legal status but rather
reflects the recognition of a pre-existing reality.
Case law: The recognition of the State of Israel in 1948 is often cited as an example of the
declaratory theory. The establishment of Israel was a result of various events, and
recognition by other states followed as an acknowledgment of the facts on the ground.
2) Constitutive Theory:
The constitutive theory posits that recognition is a constitutive act that creates the legal
personality of a state. In other words, a state only becomes a legal entity when it is
recognized by other states or the international community.
Case law: Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008 is an example. While some states,
like the United States and many European countries, recognized Kosovo as an independent
state, others, like Russia and China, did not. This reflects the constitutive theory in action.
3) Neutralization Theory:
The neutralization theory suggests that recognition is a neutral act and does not necessarily
imply approval or disapproval of the recognized entity's conduct or legitimacy.
Case law: Recognition of a government despite political differences can illustrate the
neutralization theory. For example, during the Cold War, some states recognized
governments that were ideologically aligned with them, even if those governments were
opposed by others.
4) Tacit Recognition:
Tacit recognition occurs when a state acts in a manner consistent with the existence of
another state without explicitly stating its recognition.
Case law: Economic and diplomatic interactions with a state can be considered as a form of
tacit recognition. For instance, conducting diplomatic relations or entering into treaties with
a state may imply tacit recognition.
5) Conditional Recognition:
Some states may provide recognition with certain conditions attached, such as respect for
human rights or compliance with international law.
Case law: Recognition of the Palestinian Authority by some states may be seen as
conditional, with expectations of progress in peace negotiations with Israel.
8 a) define extrodiction
It appears that there might be a slight spelling error in your question. If you intended to ask
about "extradition" in public international law, I can certainly provide information on that.
Extradition is a legal process by which one country formally requests the surrender of a
suspected or convicted criminal from another country. It is based on the principle of reciprocity
and international cooperation in the pursuit of justice. The process typically involves the
submission of evidence and legal arguments to support the request, and the requested country
evaluates whether the request meets its legal requirements.
Here are some key elements and principles related to extradition in public international law:
1) Treaties and Agreements: Many countries have bilateral or multilateral extradition treaties
or agreements to facilitate the extradition process. These treaties establish the conditions
under which extradition requests can be made and granted.
2) Dual Criminality: One common requirement for extradition is the principle of dual
criminality, which means that the alleged offense must be a crime in both the requesting and
requested countries.
3) Political Offense Exception: Extradition may be denied if the alleged crime is considered a
political offense. However, the definition of political offenses can vary, and many extradition
treaties provide specific criteria to determine what constitutes a political offense.
4) Fair Trial Safeguards: Extradition may be refused if there are concerns about the fairness of
the legal proceedings or the treatment of the accused in the requesting country.
5) Case Law Example: Assange v. Sweden (2010-2012): While not strictly an extradition case,
the legal proceedings involving Julian Assange provide an example of how international law and
extradition issues can intersect. Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, faced extradition from the
United Kingdom to Sweden over allegations of sexual misconduct. The case raised various legal
and human rights considerations, including the principle of non-refoulement and the adequacy
of legal safeguards.