The Notion of International Law

MODULE

INTERNATIONAL LAW

Words and Phrases for the Topic:

the notion of International Law – понятие о международном праве

Public International Law – публичное международное право

Private International Law – частное международное право

to overlap frequently – часто пересекаться, сходиться, взаимодействовать с друг другом

individual concerns –заботы, проблемы граждан, физических лиц

to treat – относится

to be agreed upon – быть согласованным

to comply with – соблюдать, соотносить, выполнять

questionable – сомнительный, вызывающий сомнения

human rights issues –вопросы, проблемы по правам человека

human rights violations – нарущения прав человека

feasible – выполнимый, осуществимый, допустимый, подходящий

except in the direst circumstances –за исключением тяжёлых, ужасных, трагических обстоятельств

to ensure compliance – гарантировать соответствие, выполнение

secular –1) светский, нецерковеый, мирской 2) постоянно действующий (о тенденциях в экономике) 3) долговременный

more bound to the tenets of their faith – более привязанные к догмам их веры (религии)

acceptable actions – допустимые действия

punishments prescribed by religion – наказания, преписанные религией

sensitive situations – щепитильная обстановка

cooperation between nations – сотрудничество между нациями

domains of International Law – области международного права

obligation – обязательство, соглашение

tort (or delict) – деликт, гражданское правонарушение

substantive law – материальное право

remedies - средства правовой защиты

to be rooted – быть основанным

sources of International Law – источники международного права

TEXT 1

Read the text paying attention to the italicized words and say what the notion of International Law is and what it includes.

The Notion of International Law

International law is a body of laws, regulations, and accepted practices by which different nations throughout the world interact with each other as well as with their own citizens and citizens of other countries. There are two basic categories of International Law, Public International Law and Private International Law, although the two tend to overlap frequently. Public International Law deals withrelationships between different nations or between a nation and persons from another country. Private International Law generally deals with individual concerns, such as civil or human rights issues, not only between a government and its own citizens but also in how its citizens are treated by other nations.

International law is developed and agreed upon by those that make up the international system, but not every nation state is a member or has a part in the process. Most nations are said to comply with International Law, but that appears questionable considering the number of human rights violations still occurring around the world. While the international community does attempt to hold all nations to International Law, it is not always feasible. Force may be necessary in order to ensure compliance, and the international community is generally against the use of force except in the direst circumstances.

There are also cultural issues that play a part in acceptance of and compliance with International Law. Some nations have a theocratic, or religious, government rather than a secular one and feel more bound to the tenets of their faith than to man-made law. In some cases, what most of the world views as human rights violations according to International law, may be viewed by some nations as acceptable actions or punishments prescribed by religion. This can create very sensitive situations.

The United Nations (UN) is probably the most well recognized of all international institutions. It has influence over the world community as a whole as well as individual nation. The UN is supposed to establish and protect peace and cooperation between nations and to ensure that people are treated humanely by their own as well as by other governments and groups.