Politics - International Law Flashcards
(34 cards)
Realism
Realism involves states (and other global actors) prioritising their specific interest and needs over those of the global community.
Cosmopolitanism
Cosmopolitanism reflects a desire among global actors to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community.
Ethics
This seeks to address questions of morality and extends to global politics, as global actors are guided by different moral frameworks/positions
Justice
Refers to the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishment and/or compensation when these ethics are breached.
International Law
Traditionally only relating to states, international law is a body of rules established by custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community.
Cultural Relativism
The theory that beliefs, customs, and morality exist in relation to the particular culture from which they originate and are not absolute.
Sovereignty
Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders.
ICERD
International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination
Aim of ICERD
Aim: Prohibit racial discrimination and promote understanding among all races
CRC
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Aim of CRC
Aim: To protect the rights and safety of children across the world
NPT
Nuclear non-proliferation treaty
Aim of NPT
Aim: Limit the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful nuclear energy.
CWC
Chemical Warfare Convention
Aim of CWC
Aim: Bans the use, transfer, development, or stockpile of chemical weapons and requires destruction of chemical weapons within a specified time.
CWC Declaration Requirements
- State parties must declare chemical weapons stockpiles, facilities, and relevant chemical industry information to the OPCW.
- Declarations required within days of the convention’s entry into force.
OPCW - CWC
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): Based in The Hague.
CWC Destruction Requirements
- Destroy all chemical weapons and production facilities under their control.
- Include destruction of old chemical weapons.
CWC Inspection and Investigation
- Routine Inspections: Chemical weapons and industry facilities.
- Challenge Inspections: Can be conducted anywhere to address non-compliance concerns.
- Investigations: For alleged use of chemical warfare.
Australia - ICERD Ratification
Australia ratified ICERD - 30 September 1975 - Racial discrimination act 1975
Australia - ICERD Recommendations
- Indigenous Australians - discrimination across all socio-economical indicators (ie. education, health care, employment, housing).
- Fastest growing population incarcerated.
- Need to implement adequate legislation that reflects indigenous history and the impact of colonialism
Australia - NPT - AUKUS
Fears that Australia may use the nuclear submarines acquired through the AUKUS deal to build nuclear weapons.
Myanmar - ICERD
- 1982 Citizenship Act: Denies Rohingya recognition as citizens; labels them as ‘illegal immigrants from Bangladesh’.
- Statelessness: Leads to lack of access to healthcare, education, and employment, causing chronic poverty and marginalisation.
- 2017 Crisis: UN described actions against Rohingya as ethnic cleansing
- Refugee Crisis: Over 800,000 Rohingya refugees in Kutupalong, Bangladesh.
Rohingya - Response
- Denial: Refers to Rohingya as ‘Bengali’, denies discrimination, and refuses investigations.
- China/Russia: Realist approach, less intervention.
- EU/US/UN: Cosmopolitan, issuing condemnations and calls for action.
