The humanitarian face of the International Court of Justice

This book represents the first effort in assessing the role and contribution of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in interpreting and developing rules and principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. First, the book addresses the Court's possibilities and limitations in the fields of international human rights and humanitarian law. Second, in exposing the contribution of the Court, the book provides a detailed analysis of relevant case law stretching from its establishment in 1946 to the end of 2007. It should be noted that through its case law, the Court has managed to wed international law to humanitarian demands for protection and respect for individual human rights, human life, and human dignity. The third component of the book looks into the relationship between the ICJ and specialized international human rights and humanitarian law courts and tribunals and international quasi-judicial bodies. Finally, the author offers a number of conclusions and recommen