International Court of Justice Guide
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Oregon Model United Nations 2021 “Model United Nations – Oregon’s oldest youth organization – offers high school students a chance to partake in a simulation of the UN, exploring contemporary world issues related to security, economics, human rights, health and the environment.” International Court of Justice Guide Table of Contents 1. Rules of Procedure for ICJ 2. Agenda Topics 3. Background Research 4. Member States in Committee 5. Committee Location International Court of Justice: Rules of Procedure *Rules Follow A Chronological Order For every case which the ICJ hears: 1. Let there be representation from both the Applicant and Respondent nations. 2. The Applicant gives an opening argument. (During this time, refrain from questions by the Justices. Clarification should be kept to a minimum and should be done after the speeches. The opening and response should not exceed 15 minutes each). 3. The Respondent responds. 4. The Applicant gives a rebuttal 5. The Respondent gives a closing argument. (The rebuttal and closing should not exceed 10 minutes each). 6. Justices then begin a questioning period. They may question amongst themselves (so comment upon a comment) and question the Advocate and Defendant. 7. The ICJ must first establish jurisdiction in the case by a simple majority before engaging in substantive debate. If jurisdiction is denied, the ICJ may vote on whether or not to draft an advisory opinion on the issue.2 a. If jurisdiction is denied, an advisory opinion represents the majority opinion of the court, but does not actually make a ruling. b. The drafting of such an advisory opinion follows the same format as the debate and drafting of a formal Court opinion/ruling that would ensue with jurisdiction, but simply doesn’t carry the classification of an actual court ruling, and must include a clear statement of this fact. 8. After jurisdiction is established, a questioning period begins in which Justices may ask questions of the Applicant and the Respondent, give speeches, and cite treaties which are relevant to the case. 9. Rules of substantive debate are identical to those of other committees and assemblies. 10. The Applicant and Respondent may not participate in substantive debate and may not provide new information. They are allowed to clarify, but are not allowed to bring new material to the table. The Justices, however, can bring forth whatever information they choose. 1 In case either or both the Applicant and Respondent nations are not present in the ICJ, one of the Justices may act as an Advocate for either the Applicant or Respondent nation. 2 An advisory opinion represents the majority opinion of the Court when the Court has no jurisdiction in the case. 11. To end substantive debate, a Justice must move to begin an opinion period. This must be seconded by another nation and approved by a majority vote. 12. During the opinion period, the Justices draft opinions to present to the Court (for the sake of efficiency this can be done in like-minded groups). 13. After this opinion period, the Justices present their opinions to the Court. 14. There exists a limit of five comments or questions on each presented opinion, unless determined inappropriate by a majority vote. 15. After every opinion has been heard, Justices may enter into further substantive debate. 16. To end substantive debate, a Justice must move to a vote on each opinion. This movement to vote must be seconded and approved by a simple majority. 17. Rounds of substantive debate and voting continue until the Court reaches a unanimous decision. Periods of debate, amendment, and questioning may ensue to ensure a unanimous opinion is reached. Merging of opinions and other such amendments are all permitted. 18. The prevailing opinion of the Court must be approved, in the form of a final opinion statement, by a unanimous vote. Additional Information: 1. In the final opinion paper- like the actual ICJ- all Justices must be in consensus. 2. Justices are required to uphold international law above all else. However, when such an action or opinion would not contradict the law, the opinion and position of one’s country can be considered. 3. Caucus procedures can be motioned by a country at any time during substantive debate periods, and have to be seconded by another. The caucus takes place as free debate between the Justices for clarification and acts as an additional time for research and for drafting/revising of opinions 4. Provided is an example of an Advisory Opinion under a case of non-jurisdiction. 5. The final verdict is presented to the General Assembly, but the opinion, once achieving full consensus, is final. 6. The International Crew of Justice wishes you the best of luck. Federal Republic of Somalia v. Republic of Kenya In a unanimous decision, the International Court of Justice has ruled in the case of Federal Republic of Somalia v. Republic of Kenya in favor of Somalia. The court ruled that the existing Memorandum Of Understanding between the two nations did not constitute a “separate method of agreement” due to its lack of specificity regarding a pertinent solution. Pursuant to Kenya’s admission of compulsory jurisdiction, the ICJ does have jurisdiction in this case. This Court concludes that according to article 15 of the Law of the Sea, which both parties are signatories to, an equidistant line shall be drawn and followed by both countries. Therefore, resolving the suite. In addition, both countries’ current claims are in violation of article 76 section 1 of the Law of the Sea and shall not be followed. For any dispute extending more than 200 nautical miles article 76 section 4 and 5 shall apply to the equidistance line drawn. Signed, The International Crew of Justice Agenda Topics & Background Information 1. Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar) On November 11, 2019, The Gambia requested the ICJ to do more to protect the rights of the Rohingya from irreparable harm. The Rohingya are an ethnic and religious minority that predominantly live in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The Gambia accuses the Myanmar government of adopting and condoning practices against the Rohingy that are genocidal in nature and violate the Genocide Convention, and thus, accuses Myanmar of committing genocide. These practices include mass murder, torture, rape, and denying food, water and shelter to the Rohingya. Myanmar denies accusations that it has violated the Genocide Convention, which includes the obligation to prevent genocide from occurring. The ICJ must determine who is at fault here, and what role they have in protecting the Rohingya. Background Information ● “The Court begins by recalling that, on 11 November 2019, The Gambia filed in the Registry of the Court an Application instituting proceedings against Myanmar concerning alleged violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of 1 Genocide of 9 December 1948 (hereinafter the “Genocide Convention ” or the “Convention”). The Application contained a Request for the indication of provisional measures, submitted pursuant to Article 41 of the Statute and Articles 73, 74 and 75 of the Rules of Court with a view to preserving the rights The Gambia claims under the Convention, pending the Court’s final decision in the case. 1 ● Article IX of the Genocide Convention reads: “Disputes between the Contracting Parties relating to the interpretation, application or fulfilment of the present Convention, including those relating to the responsibility of a State for genocide or for any of the other acts enumerated in article III, shall be submitted to the International Court of Justice at the request of any of the parties to the dispute.”” ● Helpful Links ○ Summary of the Order of 23 January 2020 of The Gambia v. Myanmar from the ICJ: https://www.icj-cij.org/files/case-related/178/178-20191111-APP-01-00-EN.pdf ○ Questions and Answers on Gambia’s Genocide Case Against Myanmar before the International Court of Justice ○ What Does the ICJ Decision on The Gambia v. Myanmar mean?: https://www.asil.org/insights/volume/24/issue/2/what-does-icj-decision-gambia-v- myanmar-mean Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda) In 1999, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) alleged in a claim to the ICJ that acts of armed aggression were being carried out by Uganda on DRC soil. The DRC claimed that, amongst other things, Uganda had violated international law pertaining to the non-use of force, human rights, respect for sovereignty, and the principles of non-interference in domestic matters. In response, the country of Uganda claimed that the DRC used force against Uganda in violation of the U.N. charter, allowed attacks on the Ugandan embassy and its personnel in Kinshasa, and that the DRC violated the 1999 Lusaka agreement. The ICJ must determine the validity of the DRC’s claims and Uganda’s claims, and then the ICJ must decide whether or not reparations for crimes are needed. Background Information: ● The 1999 Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement was an agreement that attempted to end the Second Congo War. It was signed by not only the DRC and Uganda, but it was also signed by Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The ceasefire called for a halt of all military operations within 24 hours. Article III, Clause XII calls for the removal of “all foreign forces,” but Uganda claims that they were not a part of this. ● The 2002 Luanda agreement was a ceasefire in 2002 between the DRC and Uganda. It was made to directly modify the 1999 Lusaka Agreement. It also calls for Uganda to remove their troops.