Daily Star Home  

<%-- Page Title--%> Law book review <%-- End Page Title--%>

  <%-- Page Title--%> Issue No 171 <%-- End Page Title--%>  

December 26, 2004

  <%-- Page Title--%> <%-- Navigation Bar--%>
<%-- Navigation Bar--%>
 


International law and world affairs

International Law
By Harun ur Rashid,
Pages 513, Price Taka 350.00
Published by Anupam Gyan Bhandar,
156, National Stadium, (1st floor), Gate 14,
Dhaka 1000

International law has been in crisis after the US-led forces launched an unprovoked attack on Iraq in March 2003 without UN approval. The Secretary General of the UN termed the war illegal as it was contrary to the UN Charter and current rules of international law.

At a time when international law is at its lowest ebb, it is refreshing to note that importance of international law has been emphasised in a book to be the centre of harmoniza|ion of actions of all nations in the attainment of global peace, harmony and security.

Mr. Rashid's thoroughly revised and rewritten third edition of International Law is a straightforward, clear and concise account, which helps readers grasp rules of international law. It covers almost all the topics with citation of relevant cases of international law to understand the interpretation and implementation of the law. The strength of the book lies in the fact that it covers the September 11 attacks and the Iraqi war from the perspective of international law. Furthermore it discusses under what conditions humanitarian interventions by states are permissible under international law.

The book is divided into 22 Chapters and covers all the major topics of international law. Of particular significance are the chapters on recognition, succession of states, state responsibility, jurisdiction of states, international river- law, law of the sea, environmental law, protection of human rights, extradition, disarmament, treaty liw and international organisations including the UN.

It is interesting to note how individuals that were once "objects" became "subjects" under international law. That means no persons may canvass the view that states and not individuals are responsible for international crimes. The author cites the example of Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals where leaders of Germany and Japan were put on trial, convicted and many of them were hanged for waging the Second World War.

The author traces the development of humanitarian law under which the former Chilean President Augusto Pinochet did not get sovereign immunity and was arrested in England in 1998. The trial of former President of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic since 2002 under charges of crimes against humanity demonstrates that no heads of state may be safe from their accountability

The subjects of recognition, state succession and extradition of offenders have received treatment from both general and Bangladesh's context. The author discusses the reasons as to why the Mujibnagar government had not been accorded recognition in 1971 during the liberation struggle. He argues |hat at least belligerent status should have been given to Bangladesh's war of liberation by international communi|y to prevent atrocities on innocent Bangladeshi civilians including women & children.

State succession is a complex subject and the author, while tracing the development of state succession under international law, argues that the principle of "clean slate" is only applicable to a state born out of a war and Bangladesh has been cited as an example. Under this principle, a new sta|e is not a successor to the state from which it separates through armed struggle.

The subject of extradition has been dealt with in terms of current principles of international law including that of "double criminality" rule and in the context of capital punishment. Since more than 134 countries have abolished or kep| abeyance capital punishment as of tolay, the author argues that it has been very difficult under the circumstances to seek extradition of persons sentenced to capital punishment from another country in which capital punishment does not prevail.

The author, a Barrister and former Bangladesh Ambassador to several countries including at the UN European Office in Geneva, brings his expertise and experience to present current state of international law. All topics have also received treatment in the context of Bangladesh practice and position.

Given the examination of rules of international law from perspective of contemporary world events, the book is a good resource for law students, diplomats, lawyers, journalists and any individual interested in the development of international law.

Law Desk.

     
(C) Copyright The Daily Star. The Daily Star Internet Edition, is joiblished by the Daily Star