A real honour to have hosted Judge Dire Tladi of the International Court of Justice for the Irish Centre for Human Rights Annual Distinguished Lecture.
A deeply fascinating and timely discussion of peremptory norms and erga omnes obligations
@uniofgalwaylaw.bsky.social @uniofgalway.bsky.social
The United States bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999 - "a mistake, due to outdated maps".
The US apologies and paid $28 million in compensation to China and the families of those killed.
www.irishtimes.com/news/us-to-p...
"it's more likely that the strike was the result of an error"
It will make little to no difference to victims families whether the missile strike was intentional or a mistake
And it remains a severe violation of international law for which the US/Israel is responsible
www.npr.org/2026/03/04/n...
The last photo of Mikaeil Mirdoraghi, a third-grade student killed in the reported U.S./Israeli strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran.
He is waving goodbye to his mother.
How the Council of Foreign Relations describes the current conflict in the Middle East
The International Criminal Court may not have jurisdiction over Iran or Lebanon, or the crime of aggression in this context, but Benjamin Netanyahu is still wanted for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
Unenforced arrest warrants are not a deterrent.
www.icc-cpi.int/defendant/ne...
Ireland is a cog in the wheel of an aggressive and reckless war.
"a number of flights that transited through Shannon over the weekend. ... two US Air Force Hercules C-130H landed at Shannon on Saturday morning, while a US Navy air logistics flight left the airport for Sicily on the same day".
Most of the world is focused on Iran or the GCC. Haven’t heard much from international actors comment on Israel reclosing entry into Gaza or the disproportional response Israel is committing on Lebanon through mass displacement and constant attacks
big day for law on the use of force discourse and the most circular of logics:
US imperialist aggression
was actually US pre-emptive self-defence
against imminent Iranian self-defence
in response to planned Israeli aggression
which US fully supported in the first place
This headline from the BBC distorts what Rubio revealed.
He states that Israel was planning an attack on Iran, to which Iran would respond instantly by targeting US bases:
"they would immediately come after us".
Does not alter the illegality of the attack.
But it should be reported accurately.
This headline from the BBC distorts what Rubio revealed.
He states that Israel was planning an attack on Iran, to which Iran would respond instantly by targeting US bases:
"they would immediately come after us".
Does not alter the illegality of the attack.
But it should be reported accurately.
"We are deeply alarmed by attacks on civilians, including civilian infrastructures, schools, and hospitals.
Schools and hospitals must not be attacked."
UN Special Representatives
violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/news/join....
Rubio's justification for attacking Iran:
Iran would have retaliated against the US if Israel attacked Iran. Therefore the US acted preemptively.
So, why didn't the Trump admin just restrain the principal recipient of US military assistance from launching such an illegal attack in the first place?
The U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran are illegal.
Iran's attacks in Gulf States are illegal.
The U.K. defending Gulf States is legal, but allowing the U.S. to use its bases is illegal.
In short, everyone is violating international law and should stop.
My latest @justsecurity.org
If United States pilots are shot down over Iran (as opposed to "capable partner" Kuwait), does Hegseth think that "stupid rules of engagement" including the 1949 Geneva Convention protecting prisoners of war should be observed by Iran?
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Starmer must know that the ICC Statute defines as an act of aggression:
"The action of a State in allowing its territory, which it has placed at the disposal of another State, to be used by that other State for perpetrating an act of aggression against a third State"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Seems more like the latter. And Iran is invoking self-defence, rather than claiming it can act unlawfully in response to a violation of the UN Charter:
newyork.mfa.ir/files/Survey...
Other examples where Minister Byrne has pronounced on unlawful conduct:
"Russia’s illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine"
Palestine: "illegal occupations and annexations continue".
Govt has rightly condemned the "abhorrent violations of international humanitarian law” in Sudan.
It shouldn't be beyond the capacity of Government Ministers and their Departments to help citizens abroad, while also calling out blatant breaches of international law.
Moreover, not condemning illegality does not help Irish citizens or the victims of thus conflict for that matter.
Weak and disappointing from Thomas Byrne, Minister for European Affairs on @rteradio1.bsky.social Morning Ireland.
Refused to condemn illegality of US/Israel attacks on Iran when asked.
Said the focus is on helping Irish citizens in the region.
That legal questions are a matter for the parties.
Even though the victim of an aggressive attack in violation of the UN Charter, Iran remains bound by international law in its response.
Some background reading on retaliation and reprisals in international law available here:
researchrepository.universityofgalway.ie/server/api/c...
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez: “Today more than ever, it is essential to remember that one can be against a hateful regime as is the case with the Iranian regime…and at the same time be against an unjustified, dangerous military intervention outside of international law.”
The @irishtimes.com - not known to count international lawyers among its staff - shows no hesitation in calling the Iran attack unlawful:
“This unilateral military intervention is plainly illegal”.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, “can’t say”
bsky.app/profile/iris...
A dereliction of duty.
Follows from the watery statement issued yesterday which also failed to condemn this aggression.
A two minute conversation between the Minister and a Department of Foreign Affairs lawyer would have easily clarified how the UN Charter has been breached.
By election candidates and the left are releasing this joint statement of solidarity with Cllr Helen Ogbu following disgraceful online abuse.
A pair of Choughs feeding a couple of chicks on the side of a cliff at Loop Head, Co Clare last June 🖤🖤🖤🖤 #FourOrMore #BirdOfTheDay #Birds
“Justice and accountability must follow. All states and parties must uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools.”
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
Corporate complicity in a war of aggression
