Law of International Organizations
lecturer
course code
type of course
year of study
semester
ECTS credits
objective of the course
Ref. Jur. Martin Faix, Ph.D., MJI
KUP/ELIO
Optional
1st – 5th year of study
Summer Semester
5
See below
prerequisites
teaching methods
assessment methods
language of instruction
Good knowledge of English
lectures
Test
English
Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory. The role will be taken at the beginning of each class. If you
miss more than three classes for whatever reason, you will receive an
F in the course.
Course Objectives:
To equip students with an understanding of international organizations, their role and functioning with
strong focus on international law aspects.
Topics Outline:
(The course will proceed in the following order; the lecturer reserves the right to make changes during
the course. Every change will be announced to the students in advance.)
01.03. Introduction to the Law of International Organizations. Basic information, course requirements.
08.03. History of IO
15.03. Legal character and personality of IO
22.03. Classification, international organs, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
29.03. Membership in IO, dissolution and succession.
05.04. Privileges and immunities, financing.
12.04. Institutional structures I: Non-judicial organs of IO, their acts: legal character and effects.
19.04. International Organizations and the Law of Treaties.
26.04. Institutional structures II: Judicial organs and peaceful settlements of disputes.
03.05. Responsibility of IO I.: introduction, responsibility in general
10.05. Responsibility of IO II.: responsibility of IO for Human rights violations and violation of
international humanitarian law
17.05. European Union as an international organization from the perspective of international law
Assessment:
There is no final examination for this course.
Your grade will be based on (1) your attendance, (2) your active participation in the course and (3) your
performance on in-class group presentations.
Each group will be assigned a topic on which it prepares a presentation followed by/including a short
discussion. The topics of the presentations are indicated below. Presentations should be creative and
informative and include a discussion, ie. each group needs to prepare a discussion on the assigned topic (5-10
min). The length of presentations should be 30 minutes (including discussion).
Each presentation must be accompanied by a handout (1-2 pages) for your colleagues. The handout shall
summarize your findings in brief and give your colleagues an overview about the topic of your presentation.
Each group member must participate in the in-class presentation in order to receive credit for the assignment.
Groups must turn in their presentation, the handout and discussion questions to the lecturer one week before the
in class presentation at the latest, both in hardcopy and via email.
Finally, please ensure that your presentations meet the standard formal requirements (bibliography, etc.). In case
of plagiarism, you will receive an F in the course.
Please note that reading and other preparation for the course will be expected. You are also required to check the
electronic blackboard regularly for materials and announcements.
Topics for presentation:
1. Case Bankovič v. Belgium and sixteen other states, 12 December 2001
2. Joined Cases Behrami and Behrami v. France, and Saramati v. France and others, 2 May 2007
3. Reform of the UN: Security Council
4. Reform of the UN: Democracy, Financing and Human Rights issues
5. UN and HR: Universal Periodic Review
6. UN and the ICC
7. EU and the ECHR
8. Does the EU have obligations under human rights law?
9. The international legal status of the EU
10. Cases (CFI) T-306/01 Yusuf and Al Barakaat International Foundation v. Council and
Commission, and T-315/01 Kadi v. Council and Commission (Judicial Review of European AntiTerrorism Measures)
11. International Committee of the Red Cross from international law perspective
12. OSCE from the perspective of international institutional law
13. ICC from the perspective of international institutional law
14. The International Tin Council case (Liability to Third Parties of Member States of International
Organizations)