Subjects of International Law | IL Episode 7

Dr Mohsen al Attar

Who does international law apply to? The answer is not clear-cut. Self-evidently nation-states are subjects of international law: they sign treaties, create custom, and can be held accountable for breaches thereof. But beyond the obvious, which other actors benefit from rights and are bound by responsibilities within the international legal framework? Individuals? Transnational corporations? Mercenaries? Terrorists? In the following two episodes, I examine the basis of subjecthood in international law and the challenges posed by state-centrism.