Description
This course is intended to provide students with in-depth knowledge of, and insights into, the basic principles and rules of international law relating to the maintenance and restoration of peace and security, and the international law in respect of the use of armed force in international relations.
Emphasis is placed on past and contemporary events and issues. Topics covered include:
The general principles in respect of the prohibition on the use of force (jus ad bellum / jus contra bellum) and the role of international law;
The right of states to resort to self-defense, including the regulation of anticipatory or preventive self-defense;
Humanitarian intervention and the principle of the responsibility to protect;
Collective security and the role of the United Nations (Security Council);
Peace and justice: the role of international criminal law and international human rights law;
Current developments in the law on the use of force: the war on terror, pro-democratic intervention, civil wars and failed states;
Peacekeeping and peace building after (or during) armed conflict: jus post bellum and the responsibility to rebuild.
Methods of instruction
Lectures and seminars
Study material
- C. Gray, International Law and the Use of Force, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008 (New Third Edition – Available August 2008) – W. van Genugten, K. Homan, N. Schrijver and P. de Waart, The United Nations of the Future. Globalization with a human face, Amsterdam: KIT, 2006, 304 p. – Additional articles and reports will be placed on Blackboard
Examination
There is no exam.
Each student has to submit a paper on one of the topics dealt with during the course (100% of the final grade)
The length of the paper and the date and formalities in respect of the submission of the paper will be announced on Blackboard and during the first introductory lecture.
Time table
Tuesday April 2, till May 14, 9.00 a.m.-13.00 p.m. in the following rooms:
April 2, 1A33
April 9, 1A33
April 16, 1A47
April 23 9.00-11.00 a.m. in 1A12 and 11.00 a.m.-13.00 p.m. in 1A37
April 30 no meeting: Koninginnedag, instead of that:
Monday April 27, 11.00 a.m.-13.00 p.m. in 1A27 and 13.00-15.00 p.m. in 1A33
May 7: no meeting, instead of that:
May 4, 11.00 a.m.-13.00 p.m. room 5A37; 13.00-15.00 p.m. in 1A24
May 14, 9.00-11.00 a.m. in 5A41 and 11.00 a.m. -13.00 p.m. in 5A42