What happens if you break international law? An animated explainer

Summary

International law violations have varying consequences. States invading others can face sanctions or military action, while individuals committing war crimes may be tried at international courts, a lengthy and complex process. Corporations, like energy companies spilling oil, could be subject to private international law, facing fines and other penalties. Despite enforcement challenges, international laws exist to guide responses to such breaches.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Breaking international law can have varying consequences.
• ⌛ Often, nothing happens immediately due to the time and cost of pursuing justice.
• ⚖️ If a state invades another, it breaks a fundamental international law, committing the crime of aggression.
• 🚫 Sanctions or military interventions are potential consequences for a state committing aggression.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Individuals who commit war crimes might be tried at an international court.
• ⏳ Trials for individuals can take decades and need their own country's cooperation.
• 🏭 Energy companies causing environmental damage may face private international law cases.
• 💰 Companies could face fines and punishments for environmental violations.
• 🛡️ Enforcing international laws is challenging, which sometimes leads to them being broken.
• 🗺️ International laws are meant to guide and provide a framework for when things go wrong.

Q & A

What happens if a state breaks international law by invading another country?

If a state invades another country, breaking international law, it can expect sanctions or even military intervention.

What is one of the most fundamental international laws that can be broken by a state?

One of the most fundamental international laws that can be broken by a state is the crime of aggression, such as invading another country.

What might happen to an individual who has committed a war crime?

An individual who has committed a war crime might be tried at an international court, a process that can take decades and requires the help of their own country.

How are war crimes prosecuted at the international level?

War crimes are prosecuted at the international level through trials at international courts, which can take a long time and involve the cooperation of the perpetrator's own country.

What could happen to an energy company that spills oil in the sea around another country?

An energy company that spills oil in the sea around another country might face fines and punishment under private international law.

What type of law would be involved in dealing with an energy company that has caused an oil spill in international waters?

Private international law would be involved in dealing with an energy company that has caused an oil spill in international waters.

Why are international laws sometimes broken?

International laws are sometimes broken because of the problem of effectively enforcing them.

What is the role of international laws despite the challenges in enforcing them?

Despite enforcement challenges, international laws serve to guide actions and responses when things go wrong.

What are some potential consequences for states that violate international laws?

Potential consequences for states that violate international laws include sanctions and military intervention.

What is necessary for an individual to be tried for war crimes at an international court?

For an individual to be tried for war crimes at an international court, it requires time, often decades, and the cooperation of the individual's own country.

Outlines

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🌍 Consequences of Breaking International Law

Breaking international law can have varying consequences, from no action at all due to the high costs and complexities of pursuing justice, to significant repercussions such as sanctions or military intervention. The response depends on the nature of the offense and the entities involved.

⚔️ Consequences for States Committing Aggression

A state that invades another country violates a fundamental international law known as the crime of aggression. This typically results in sanctions or potential military intervention, demonstrating the serious consequences for such actions.

⚖️ War Crimes and Individual Accountability

Individuals who commit war crimes can face trial at international courts, though this process can take decades and often requires the cooperation of the individual's home country. This highlights the complex and lengthy process of achieving justice for war crimes.

🌊 Environmental Violations by Companies

When an energy company causes an oil spill in another country's waters, it falls under private international law. The company may face fines and other punishments, illustrating how international law also governs corporate environmental responsibility.

📜 Challenges and Purpose of International Law

Although international laws are sometimes broken due to enforcement challenges, they exist to guide actions and provide a framework for addressing wrongdoings. This underscores the importance of international law in maintaining order and accountability.

Keywords

💡International Law

International law refers to a set of rules and standards that govern the behavior of nations and international organizations. It is crucial in maintaining global order and promoting peace. In the video, breaking international law is mentioned in the context of a state invading another, which is a clear violation of this law. The script highlights the potential consequences of such actions, emphasizing the importance of these laws in guiding behavior.

💡Justice

Justice in this context refers to the principle of fairness and the process of administering punishment or reward based on the merits of a case. The script mentions that pursuing justice can be time-consuming and costly, suggesting that it is a complex and often challenging process. The theme of justice is central to the discussion of international law violations and their consequences.

💡Sanctions

Sanctions are economic or political measures imposed on a country or individual to compel compliance with international norms or to punish violations. The script mentions that a state that invades another might face sanctions, illustrating the use of these measures as a response to international law violations.

💡Military Intervention

Military intervention involves the use of armed forces to intervene in the affairs of another state, often as a response to a violation of international law. The script suggests that a state committing aggression might face military intervention, highlighting the potential severity of such actions and their impact on international relations.

💡War Crime

A war crime is a serious violation of the laws and customs of war, which can include acts such as murder, torture, or intentionally targeting civilians. The script discusses the possibility of an individual being tried for war crimes at an international court, emphasizing the personal accountability for such actions.

💡International Court

An international court is a judicial body that operates outside of national jurisdictions and is designed to handle cases involving international law violations. The script mentions that individuals who commit war crimes might be tried at such a court, underscoring the role of these institutions in enforcing international law.

💡Energy Company

In the context of the script, an energy company is a business entity involved in the production and distribution of energy resources. The script uses the example of an energy company spilling oil in the sea around another country to illustrate how corporations can also be held accountable under international law for environmental damage.

💡Private International Law

Private international law, also known as conflict of laws, deals with the resolution of disputes involving private legal relations between parties from different countries. The script refers to this type of law in the context of a company facing fines and punishment for environmental damage, indicating how private entities can be subject to international legal frameworks.

💡Fines

Fines are monetary penalties imposed as a form of punishment or deterrent for violating laws or regulations. The script mentions that an energy company might face fines for environmental damage, demonstrating how financial penalties can be used as a means of enforcement in international law.

💡Punishment

Punishment in this context refers to the penalties or sanctions imposed on individuals or entities that have violated laws or norms. The script discusses punishment in relation to both states and corporations, highlighting the range of consequences that can result from breaking international law.

💡Enforcement

Enforcement refers to the act of ensuring compliance with laws or regulations. The script notes that international laws are sometimes broken due to the problem of effective enforcement, suggesting that the challenge of implementing these laws is a significant issue in the international community.

Highlights

International law can sometimes go unenforced with no immediate consequences.

Justice in international law requires time and financial resources.

States that commit aggression may face sanctions or military intervention.

Individuals guilty of war crimes could be tried at an international court.

International trials for individuals may take decades and depend on cooperation from their home country.

Private international law can address corporate wrongdoings like oil spills.

Energy companies causing environmental damage may face fines and punishment.

The enforcement of international law is challenging due to its nature.

International laws serve as guidelines for action when conflicts arise.

The effectiveness of international law is hindered by enforcement issues.

International law provides a framework for addressing wrongs committed by states and individuals.

The pursuit of justice in international law is often a lengthy and costly process.

Sanctions are one method of enforcing international law against states.

Military intervention can be a response to severe breaches of international law.

International courts play a crucial role in trying individuals for war crimes.

Corporate accountability under international law can lead to financial penalties.

The role of international law is to guide actions and reactions in the global community.

Transcripts

Let's say you've broken international law.

What next? Well, it depends.

Quite often, nothing happens at all.

Pursuing justice takes time and money,

but sometimes things do happen.

Let's imagine you're a state that invades another.

You've broken one of the most fundamental international laws

and committed the crime of aggression.

You can expect sanctions

or maybe even military intervention.

Now, let's say you're an individual

who's committed a war crime.

You personally might be tried at an international court:

this can take decades and requires the help of your own country.

And what if you're an energy company

that has spilled oil in the sea around another country?

Then this might be a case for private international law

and your company could face fines and punishment.

International laws are sometimes broken

because of the problem of effectively enforcing them,

but they're there to guide us

for when things do go wrong.