LL.B. (HONS.

) SEMESTER VI
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW 2
UNIT 1
Question 1: Define International Organization? Discuss its essentials elements and historical development.
Answer 1: International organizations play a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of our interconnected world.
 These organizations serve as essential platforms for fostering cooperation, addressing global challenges,
and promoting peace and prosperity among nations.
 International organizations are entities composed of sovereign states or other international actors, working
together to pursue common goals or address shared concerns that transcend national boundaries.
 They provide a framework for diplomatic engagement, negotiation, and collective action, serving as
forums where countries can collaborate, negotiate treaties, establish norms, and resolve disputes
peacefully.
 They have played crucial roles in preventing conflicts, advancing human rights, facilitating economic
development, and addressing pressing issues such as climate change, pandemics, and terrorism.
Question 1(a): Essentials elements of International Organization?
Answer 1(a): The essential elements of international organizations can be summarized as follows:
 Membership: International organizations consist of member states or other entities that voluntarily join
the organization to pursue common goals or address shared concerns.
 Purpose and Objectives: International organizations are established with specific purposes and
objectives outlined in their founding documents, such as a charter or constitution.
 Legal Personality: International organizations possess legal personality, which grants them certain rights,
powers, and responsibilities under international law.
 Governance Structure: International organizations have a formal governance structure comprising
governing bodies, decision-making mechanisms, and administrative bodies.
 International Legal Framework: International organizations operate within the framework of
international law, which governs their establishment, structure, functions, and operations.
 International Relations and Diplomacy: International organizations serve as forums for international
relations and diplomacy, facilitating dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation among member states.
Question 1(b): What are the legal functions of International Organizations?
Answer 1(b): Here are some of the key legal functions of international organizations:
 International organizations are typically established through treaties, conventions, or agreements among
sovereign states.
 International organizations possess legal personality, which grants them rights, powers, and
responsibilities under international law.
 International organizations play a central role in developing and promoting international legal norms and
standards.
 International organizations are responsible for implementing and enforcing international law within their
respective spheres of competence.
 International organizations facilitate the peaceful resolution of disputes between member states through
diplomatic means, mediation, arbitration, or adjudication.
Question 1(b): Historical development of International organization?
Answer 1(b): Key milestones in the historical development of international organizations are:
1. Early Forms of Diplomacy and Cooperation (Pre-19th Century): Prior to the formal establishment of
international organizations, various forms of diplomacy and cooperation existed among states. Examples
include alliances, treaties, and diplomatic missions aimed at maintaining peace, regulating trade, and
addressing common threats.
2. Congress of Vienna (1814-1815): Following the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna was convened
to restore stability and redraw the political map of Europe. While not a formal international organization,
the Congress laid the groundwork for a system of multilateral diplomacy and cooperation among European
powers.
3. International Telecommunication Union (1865): The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is
one of the oldest international organizations, founded to facilitate cooperation and standardization in
global telecommunications. It was established as a result of the International Telegraph Convention signed
in Paris in 1865.
4. Red Cross Movement (1863): The Red Cross Movement emerged in the 19th century as a humanitarian
organization aimed at providing medical aid to wounded soldiers and civilians during times of conflict. It
laid the foundation for the development of international humanitarian law and principles.
5. League of Nations (1920): The League of Nations was the first formal intergovernmental organization
aimed at promoting international cooperation and maintaining peace. It was established in the aftermath
of World War I but faced challenges in achieving its objectives, leading to its eventual dissolution.
6. United Nations (1945): The United Nations was founded in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II with
the primary goals of maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, fostering
economic development, and providing humanitarian assistance. It replaced the League of Nations and has
since become the principal international organization responsible for global governance.
7. European Union (1951): The European Union (EU) originated from efforts to promote economic
cooperation and integration among European countries in the aftermath of World War II. It began as the
European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and has since evolved into a political and economic union
with its own institutions and legal framework.
8. World Trade Organization (1995): The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established to oversee
international trade relations and promote free trade among its member states. It replaced the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and has become the principal international organization
governing global trade.
9. Regional Organizations: In addition to global organizations like the UN, numerous regional
organizations have been established to promote cooperation and integration within specific geographic
areas. Examples include the African Union (AU), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
10. Specialized Agencies: Alongside general-purpose international organizations, numerous specialized
agencies have been established to address specific issues such as health (e.g., World Health Organization),
labor (e.g., International Labour Organization), and education (e.g., UNESCO).
Question 1(c): What are the various kinds of International Organization?
Answer 1(c): Here are some common kinds of international organizations:
1. Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs): These organizations consist of sovereign states as members
and are established through treaties or agreements between governments. Examples include the United
Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organization (WHO), and
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs are independent entities that operate at the
international level and work on a range of issues such as human rights, humanitarian aid, environmental
protection, and development. Unlike IGOs, NGOs are not composed of governments but often collaborate
with them and other stakeholders. Examples include Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Oxfam, and
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
3. Regional Organizations: These organizations are formed by countries within a specific geographic
region to address common challenges and promote cooperation. They can have political, economic,
security, or social objectives. Examples include the European Union (EU), African Union (AU),
Organization of American States (OAS), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
4. Supranational Organizations: Supranational organizations have authority that transcends national
borders and can make decisions that are binding on member states. The European Union is a prime
example of a supranational organization, with its own legal system, institutions (such as the European
Commission and European Parliament), and policies that affect member states.
5. International Financial Institutions (IFIs): These organizations provide financial assistance, technical
expertise, and policy advice to countries for economic development and stabilization. Examples include
the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (including the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association), and regional
development banks like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and African Development Bank (AfDB).
6. Trade and Economic Organizations: These organizations focus on facilitating international trade,
economic cooperation, and development. Examples include the World Trade Organization (WTO),
International Trade Centre (ITC), and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD).
7. Military Alliances and Defense Organizations: Military alliances are formed among countries for
mutual defense and security cooperation. Examples include NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization),
SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization), and CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization).
8. Specialized Agencies of the United Nations: These are autonomous organizations within the United
Nations system that focus on specific issues such as health (e.g., WHO), labor (e.g., ILO), education and
culture (e.g., UNESCO), food and agriculture (e.g., FAO), and refugee assistance (e.g., UNHCR).
These are just some of the kinds of international organizations that exist, and they play crucial roles in
addressing global challenges, promoting cooperation, and advancing peace and development on the
international stage.