The Open Law Journal
2011, 4 : 21-28Published online 2011 December 09. DOI: 10.2174/1874950X01104010021
Publisher ID: TOLAWJ-4-21
The Meaning of ‘International Law’
Leiden University, Perkstraat
4 A, 2321 VH Leiden, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT
The status of ‘international law’ is examined critically. In the first section, the basis of (national) legislation is described. This consists of an inquiry into a credible meaning of ‘natural law’. It is focused on the question of whether universal principles exist and, if so, of what kind. Section 2 deals with the issue of enforcement. National legislation invariably realizes this(,) but this is not obvious at the international level. Section 3 deals with human rights and whether their presence points to the existence of ‘international law’ is discussed. To this end, a possible reason for these rights to have developed is expounded.