INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

In a world where there is no arbiter above the state, it turns to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to deliver the verdict on national sovereignty, damage liability, and the interpretation of international law. Delegates will re-examine a pivotal late-20th century case that continues to influence global legal frameworks today.

The ICJ will deliberate the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This case was brought forward in 1996 by Bosnia Herzegovina initially against Yugoslavia, now succeeded by Serbia and Montenegro. It explores the legal concepts of attribution, meaning a state’s associated responsibility, the duty to prevent, and special intent of destruction. Delegates will role-play as legal advocates and judges to debate whether the defendants acted to prevent the crime of genocide or intentionally harmed and terminated Bosnian-Herzegovinan citizens.

NOTE: ICJ has distinct Rules of Procedure from other committees in the ECOSOC & Regional Bodies Branch. In addition, roles for staff will be slightly different (ex., ICJ President and ICJ Vice President instead of Director and Vice Director). Delegates in this committee will take turns role-playing advocates of a country and ICJ judges.