1. IGOs, International Law/Norms, and Human Rights
Lecture #12
IGOs, International Law/Norms, and Human Rights

2. Intergovernmental Organization IGO
established by treaty
is a legal entity w/ int’l legal status - can enter into treaties
probably has a legislative body (of gov’t representatives)
may have a dispute resolution body
may have an executive body (secretariat)
Non-governmental Organization NGO
no international legal status
non-governmental representatives
may serve consultative role to IGOs
some are very influential

3. International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)
Although realists are skeptical of IGOs’ influence, idealists/liberals (particularly liberal institutionalists) argue that IGOs can facilitate cooperation through:
Lowering transaction costs
Increasing transparency
Making it easier to enforce international agreements

4. International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)
IGOs with important roles in security, human rights, and development
United Nations (UN)
International Criminal Court (ICC)

5. International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)
United Nations (UN)
Key bodies:
Security Council
General Assembly
ECOSOC
International Court of Justice
Trusteeship Council
Secretariat
Broader UN system
Roles in security, environment, health, rights, and development

6. UN: History and Functions

7. International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Permanent body created to deal with war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity (and vague crime of “aggression”)
Structure: office of prosecutor, 18 judges, assembly of states parties, presidency

8. International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)
International Criminal Court (ICC) – Cont.
Principle of complementary: ICC can only act when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute
Current cases/indictments
U.S. critique of ICC

9. International Law Sources: Treaties Custom General principles of law
Legal scholarship

10. International Law Interpretation
Enforcement: no authoritative body; enforcement typically occurs through reciprocity and international norms
Key example: international humanitarian law (Geneva conventions, etc.)

11. Important emphasis of constructivist scholars
International Norms
Definition: Widely shared expectations about appropriate behavior in specific circumstances
Important emphasis of constructivist scholars

12. Evolution of norms over time (e.g., sovereignty, slavery, etc.)
International Norms
Examples: respect for state sovereignty, prohibition of slavery, genocide, and use of WMD
Evolution of norms over time (e.g., sovereignty, slavery, etc.)