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Is International Humanitarian Law Lapsing into Irrelevance in the War on International Terror?

Dan Belz, Tel-Aviv University

Article comments

Due to be published at 7(1) TIL.

Abstract

This article uses an economic narrative to examine the theoretical adequacy of applying humanitarian law to the regulation of the war on international terror. I argue that problems inherent with collective action impede the ability of this law to generate an optimal level of global security, and that the absence of the element of reciprocity reduces states’ compliance. The paper discusses factors that mitigate these phenomena, such as audience costs, negative externalities of public conscience, NGOs’ activities and the promotion of the humanitarian approach to humanitarian law by international bodies and courts. However, I maintain that the controversy among states over how to apply humanitarian law to the war on international terror might prevent these factors from counterbalancing the decrease in humanitarian law’s status. Humanitarian law is therefore in danger of lapsing into irrelevance in this war.

Subject Area

Human Rights Law, International Law

Recommended Citation

Dan Belz, "Is International Humanitarian Law Lapsing into Irrelevance in the War on International Terror?" (April 2005). Tel Aviv University Legal Working Paper Series. Tel Aviv University Law Faculty Papers. Working Paper 23.
http://law.bepress.com/taulwps/fp/art23

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