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International Law

2,177 Questions

International law governs the legal frameworks, treaties, and conventions regulating relations between nations. This collection covers human rights, humanitarian interventions, diplomatic immunity, and refugee protections. These questions are highly relevant for UPSC, State PSC, and specialized law entrance examinations.

Humanitarian law principlesDiplomatic immunityHuman rights conventionsInternational crime lawsRefugee protection frameworks

International Law Questions

Multiple choice

What is the doctrine of state immunity?

  1. States are immune from the jurisdiction of foreign courts.

  2. States are not immune from the jurisdiction of foreign courts.

  3. States are immune from the jurisdiction of foreign courts only in certain circumstances.

  4. States are immune from the jurisdiction of foreign courts only when they are acting in a sovereign capacity.
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The doctrine of state immunity is a principle of international law that grants states immunity from the jurisdiction of foreign courts.

Multiple choice

What is the principle of pacta sunt servanda?

  1. The principle that treaties are binding on the parties.

  2. The principle that treaties must be performed in good faith.

  3. The principle that treaties can be terminated by mutual consent.

  4. All of the above.
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D Correct answer
Explanation

The principle of pacta sunt servanda is the principle that treaties are binding on the parties, must be performed in good faith, and can be terminated by mutual consent.

Multiple choice

What is the principle of jus cogens?

  1. The principle that certain norms of international law are so fundamental that they cannot be derogated from by treaty.

  2. The principle that certain norms of international law are so fundamental that they are binding on all states.

  3. The principle that certain norms of international law are so fundamental that they can only be amended by a unanimous vote of the United Nations General Assembly.

  4. All of the above.
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D Correct answer
Explanation

The principle of jus cogens is the principle that certain norms of international law are so fundamental that they cannot be derogated from by treaty, are binding on all states, and can only be amended by a unanimous vote of the United Nations General Assembly.

Multiple choice

What is the principle of erga omnes?

  1. The principle that certain obligations under international law are owed to all states.

  2. The principle that certain obligations under international law are owed to all individuals.

  3. The principle that certain obligations under international law are owed to all non-state actors.

  4. All of the above.
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D Correct answer
Explanation

The principle of erga omnes is the principle that certain obligations under international law are owed to all states, all individuals, and all non-state actors.

Multiple choice

What is the most promising development in refugee law in recent years?

  1. The adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees.

  2. The creation of the UN Refugee Agency.

  3. The development of new international refugee law standards.

  4. All of the above.
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Explanation

The adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees is the most promising development in refugee law in recent years, as it provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the challenges of refugee protection.

Multiple choice

Which international declaration recognizes the inherent value of animals and calls for their protection?

  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  2. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Animals

  3. Convention on Biological Diversity

  4. World Charter for Nature
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Correct answer
Explanation

The Universal Declaration of Animal Rights, adopted by the World League for Animal Protection in 1978, recognizes the inherent value of animals and calls for their protection from suffering, exploitation, and cruelty.

Multiple choice

What is the legal status of celestial bodies under the Outer Space Treaty?

  1. They are considered to be the common heritage of mankind.

  2. They are subject to the sovereignty of the nation that first discovers them.

  3. They are considered to be terra nullius (no man's land).

  4. They are considered to be the property of the United Nations.
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Explanation

Article II of the Outer Space Treaty states that "outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means".

Multiple choice

What are the rights and responsibilities of nations in space under the Outer Space Treaty?

  1. They have the right to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes.

  2. They have the responsibility to avoid harmful interference with the activities of other nations in space.

  3. They have the right to claim sovereignty over celestial bodies that they discover.

  4. They have the responsibility to protect the environment of celestial bodies.
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Explanation

The Outer Space Treaty grants nations the right to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes, but it also imposes on them the responsibility to avoid harmful interference with the activities of other nations in space, to claim sovereignty over celestial bodies that they discover, and to protect the environment of celestial bodies.

Multiple choice

Which international treaty is widely considered the cornerstone of international human rights law?

  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

  3. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

  4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
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Explanation

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, is a foundational document in international human rights law, setting out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Multiple choice

Which international treaty prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment?

  1. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

  2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

  3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  4. Convention on the Rights of the Child
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The Convention against Torture, adopted in 1984, is a key treaty that prohibits torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

Multiple choice

What is the principle of non-discrimination in international human rights law?

  1. The principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

  2. The principle that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.

  3. The principle that no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

  4. The principle that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
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Explanation

The principle of non-discrimination is a fundamental principle in international human rights law, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

Multiple choice

Which international treaty sets out the economic, social, and cultural rights that all individuals are entitled to?

  1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

  2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

  3. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  4. Convention on the Rights of the Child
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B Correct answer
Explanation

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted in 1976, sets out the economic, social, and cultural rights that all individuals are entitled to, including the right to work, the right to social security, the right to education, and the right to health.

Multiple choice

What is the principle of self-determination in international human rights law?

  1. The principle that all peoples have the right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.

  2. The principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

  3. The principle that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.

  4. The principle that no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The principle of self-determination is a fundamental principle in international human rights law, recognizing the right of peoples to determine their own political status and pursue their own economic, social, and cultural development.

Multiple choice

Which international treaty sets out the rights of children?

  1. Convention on the Rights of the Child

  2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

  3. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

  4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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Explanation

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, is a comprehensive treaty that sets out the rights of children, including the right to life, the right to education, and the right to protection from abuse and exploitation.

Multiple choice

What is the principle of accountability in international human rights law?

  1. The principle that states are responsible for respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights.

  2. The principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

  3. The principle that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.

  4. The principle that no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
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Explanation

The principle of accountability in international human rights law holds states responsible for respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights, and for taking steps to prevent and address human rights violations.