Where do international laws come from? - An animated explainer

Summary

International law consists of both written and unwritten rules. Written laws, such as treaties, conventions, and protocols, are formal agreements between countries, like the Geneva Convention. Unwritten rules, known as customary law, are practices that most countries follow, even without formal agreement, such as not invading another country. These customs can eventually become formalized in documents like the UN Charters, shaping global legal standards.

Takeaways

• 😀 Laws can be either written down or unwritten, and international law has both types.
• 😀 Written laws in international law are typically called 'treaties,' 'conventions,' or 'protocols.'
• 😀 The Geneva Convention and the Kyoto Protocol are examples of written international laws.
• 😀 Unwritten rules in international law are referred to as 'customary law.'
• 😀 'Customary law' covers general practices that most countries agree on, even if they're not officially written down.
• 😀 An example of customary law is the rule that countries should not invade other nations.
• 😀 Countries follow unwritten rules similar to how people follow 'unwritten rules' in social settings.
• 😀 Unwritten rules can eventually become written down, like those found in the UN Charters.
• 😀 'Customary law' is important because it binds all countries in the international community, even if they haven't formally agreed to it.
• 😀 Some norms or customs eventually transition into written laws, reinforcing their importance in global governance.

Q & A

What are treaties in international law?

Treaties are formal agreements between countries, often called contracts. They are written documents that outline the terms and commitments between the parties involved, such as the Geneva Convention or the Kyoto Protocol.

What are some examples of treaties in international law?

Examples include the Geneva Convention, which deals with humanitarian law, and the Kyoto Protocol, which addresses climate change and emissions reductions.

Are all international laws written down?

No, not all international laws are written down. While many are codified in treaties, others exist as unwritten rules or customs followed by countries.

What does the term 'unwritten rule' mean in the context of international law?

In international law, an 'unwritten rule' refers to customs or norms that countries follow even though they are not formally documented. These are considered part of customary international law.

What is customary law in international law?

Customary law refers to unwritten rules or norms that are followed by most countries, even if they have not explicitly agreed to them. These include practices like not invading other countries.

What are some examples of customary law?

One common example of customary law is the general belief among countries that it is wrong to invade another sovereign nation without provocation.

Do countries have to formally agree to customary laws?

No, countries do not have to formally agree to customary laws. If most countries follow a certain practice, it becomes part of customary international law, even without explicit consent.

How are customs eventually written down in international law?

Over time, many customs followed by countries are eventually codified into written documents, such as in the UN Charters, where customary laws become formalized.

What is the difference between written and unwritten rules in international law?

Written rules are formalized in treaties and agreements between countries, while unwritten rules are informal norms or customs that countries follow without a formal written agreement.

Why are unwritten rules important in international law?

Unwritten rules are important because they help guide the behavior of countries and ensure stability and predictability in international relations, even when no formal treaty exists.