Law

Niger and International Law

The International Progress Organization condemns collective punishment of the people of Niger

It warns of military intervention in violation of the United Nations Charter and appeals to ECOWAS heads of state at Emergency Summit in Abuja, Nigeria

by Dr. Hans Köchler, President I.P.O, Vienna, Austria

(22 August 2023) (8 August 2023 – RE/28961c-is) In a statement issued today, the President of the International Progress Organization (I.P.O.), Dr. Hans Köchler, called upon the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to desist from a policy of intimidation and interference concerning the political situation in the Republic of Niger. The threat of military intervention and the punitive sanctions imposed on Niger are in violation of the United Nations Charter and risk further destabilizing the already precarious security situation in the region.
Book review

“The Human Rights Industry”

Alfred de Zayas: Reflections of a Veteran Human Rights Defender

Hans Köchler, President, International Progress Organization, www.i-p-o.org, Austria

(Vienna, July 2023) The «Human Rights Industry» by Alfred de Zayas is the most comprehensive and honest assessment and critique to date of the performance of institutions the international community has set up to monitor respect of those principles that underlie justice and the rule of law at the global level.
WHO reform

Warning and criticism from legal experts

“International Pandemic Treaty” and “International Health Regulations”

by Thomas Oysmüller,* Austria

(23 May 2023) (Edit.) From 21–30 May 2023, the 76th Annual Session of the World Health Assembly – the supreme decision-making body of the WHO – will take place in Geneva. Planned reforms offer much explosive material and endanger the sovereignty of the 194 member countries. The following article describes the current situation based on the results of the previous Geneva negotiations of February 2023.

Provocation is Not an Innocent Act

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(23 May 2023) Provocation is not an innocent act. Under specific circumstances, provocation constitutes a tort or even a crime, especially when it deliberately generates a violent response. There is no binding definition of the term provocation, which is generally understood as intentional or reckless conduct likely to induce another person to a violent response – out of fear, anger or outrage.

Undermining the law becomes a problem

by Guy Mettan,* Geneva

(16 May 2023) What to do when the law is bent and is no longer the “law”? For the last 15 years or so, there has been a strong tendency to bend the law – international law, commercial law, and the higher law of nation states – in favour of interests that no longer have anything to do with justice and fairness.

European ‘strategic autonomy’ and the perception of reality

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(2 May 2023) (Edit.) For the renowned UN international law expert Alfred de Zayas, the visit of French President Emanuel Macron to China at the beginning of April this year raises not only the question of how Europe intends to position itself towards both China and the USA in the future, but also what international law consequences will arise from his future behaviour. It would be a blessing for Europe if Macron could stand firm on his statements and bring them closer to Germany and Italy in particular: