Organisations Involved in International LawSources of Contemporary Australian Law

The United Nations Started in 1945

51 initial members 193 members

today Aimed to be a

“forum for nations in dispute with each other” Didn’t allow for

domestic disputes (ie: civil war)

Courts and TribunalsInternational Court of Justice

War Crimes Tribunals

International Criminal Court

• Fixed court, in the Hague, Netherlands

• Set up on an ad hoc basis (when they need to)

• Has existed since 2002

• Won’t hear a case unless both parties agree to be bound by the decision

• Nuremburg (Germany) was the first, post WWII

• Rwanda (appeals)• Fmr Yugoslavia

(20)

• 122 member-states

• All trials have focused on Africans

Eg: East Timor v Australia re: oil fields and spying

Investigate genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, breaches of Geneva Convention

Targets individuals who have committed crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide

Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) Organisations which represent the

governments of their membersEG:

United Nations European Union (EU) ASEAN

IGOs have their own rules for membership and sanctions against those who don’t comply

Non-government Organisations Limited Status

cannot enforce sanctions can apply pressure on governments

through lobbying, education programs, aid etc

EG: Amnesty International Greenpeace Sea Shepherd

Relevance to Australia? We have played an active role since the UN

was formed We are a member-nation of many organs,

and have been active in peace-keeping UN treaties have an impact on our domestic

legislation It’s not all smooth-sailing; we have been at

odds with the UN on a range of issues Asylum seekers Indigenous issues East Timor / oil