Iran has demanded the United Nations’ top court, The International Court of Justice (ICJ), to intervene in U.S nuclear linked sanctions against them. Iran accused US of plotting its “economic strangulation”. This raised several questions on the functioning and jurisdiction of ICJ along with similar other organizations like International Criminal Court and Permanent Court of Arbitration. Apart from these global entities, regional organizations like India Foundation also play a significant role in shaping the global political landscape.
Understanding the Role of The International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations, established in 1945 by the UN Charter. It resides in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. To appear before the Court in contentious cases, an entity must be a UN member state. Thus, individuals, NGOs, corporations, or any other private entity doesn’t hold the right to seek justice from ICJ.
The Court’s role is twofold, it settles legal disputes between member states and provides advisory opinions to authorized UN organs and specialized agencies. A panel of 15 judges hired by the General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms forms the bench of ICJ. The judgments, once made, are final and without appeal.
International Criminal Court: Prosecuting International Crimes
Differing from ICJ, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization that prosecutes individuals for international crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and started its operations from 1 July 2002. The governance of ICC traces back to the Rome Statute, its foundational document. Any state that ratifies this Rome Statute consequently becomes a member state of the ICC.
Permanent Court of Arbitration: Not a Court in a Traditional Sense
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), based in The Hague, Netherlands, provides the services of an arbitral tribunal to resolve disputes rising out of international agreements. While it is not a court in the traditional sense, it holds immense importance in legal disputes involving territorial and maritime boundaries, sovereignty, human rights, international investment, and international and regional trade. Although PCA is not a United Nations agency, it has the status of an official United Nations Observer.
Indian Ocean Conference and India Foundation: Strengthening Regional Ties
Taking a step away from the global stage, regional bodies like India Foundation too contribute towards building diplomatic relations. The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference, held on August 27, was attended by India’s External Affairs Minister. The event hosted in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, saw participation from 43 countries with a focus on ‘Building Regional Architectures’.
The Indian Ocean Conference is organized by India Foundation along with partners from Singapore, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This offers a platform for state leaders, diplomats, and bureaucrats from across the region to strengthen understanding and cooperation among each other.
Located in Delhi, India Foundation is an independent research body focusing on the challenges, issues, and opportunities of Indian polity and foreign affairs.
