20 International Law Quiz Questions and Answers

Question 1:
What is the primary source of international law as outlined in Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice?
A. Customary international law
B. General principles of law recognized by civilized nations
C. International conventions
D. Judicial decisions

Answer: C
Explanation: Article 38 lists international conventions (treaties) as the primary source, followed by customary law and general principles, emphasizing the foundational role of agreements between states.

Question 2:
Which principle prohibits a state from intervening in the internal or external affairs of another state?
A. Sovereignty
B. Non-intervention
C. Territorial integrity
D. Equality of states

Answer: B
Explanation: The principle of non-intervention is a core tenet of international law, as affirmed in the UN Charter, preventing states from interfering in matters that are essentially within another state’s domestic jurisdiction.

Question 3:
What is the purpose of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties?
A. To regulate diplomatic relations
B. To codify rules for the formation and enforcement of treaties
C. To establish international trade standards
D. To protect human rights

Answer: B
Explanation: Adopted in 1969, the Vienna Convention codifies the rules governing treaties, including their conclusion, interpretation, and termination, providing a framework for international agreements.

Question 4:
Which international court is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations?
A. International Criminal Court
B. European Court of Human Rights
C. International Court of Justice
D. World Trade Organization Appellate Body

Answer: C
Explanation: The International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague, is the UN’s main judicial body, handling disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal questions.

Question 5:
What does the principle of pacta sunt servanda mean in international law?
A. Treaties must be negotiated in good faith
B. States must fulfill their treaty obligations in good faith
C. Disputes must be resolved peacefully
D. States have equal rights under international law

Answer: B
Explanation: Pacta sunt servanda, a fundamental principle, requires that treaties be binding and performed in good faith, ensuring stability and predictability in international relations.

Question 6:
Which treaty established the World Trade Organization?
A. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
B. Marrakesh Agreement
C. North American Free Trade Agreement
D. Treaty of Rome

Answer: B
Explanation: The Marrakesh Agreement, signed in 1994, established the WTO as the successor to the GATT, aiming to facilitate global trade and resolve trade disputes.

Question 7:
What is the key focus of the Geneva Conventions?
A. Environmental protection
B. Humanitarian treatment in armed conflicts
C. Intellectual property rights
D. Maritime law

Answer: B
Explanation: The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 set standards for humanitarian treatment during wartime, protecting victims of armed conflicts such as civilians and prisoners of war.

Question 8:
Under the UN Charter, which article prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state?
A. Article 1
B. Article 2(4)
C. Article 51
D. Article 103

Answer: B
Explanation: Article 2(4) of the UN Charter explicitly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, except in cases of self-defense.

Question 9:
What is the role of the International Criminal Court?
A. To resolve trade disputes
B. To prosecute individuals for international crimes like genocide
C. To adjudicate state boundaries
D. To enforce environmental treaties

Answer: B
Explanation: Established by the Rome Statute in 2002, the ICC prosecutes individuals for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so.

Question 10:
Which principle allows a state to use force in self-defense under international law?
A. Collective security
B. Preemptive strike
C. Inherent right of self-defense
D. Retaliation

Answer: C
Explanation: Article 51 of the UN Charter recognizes the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs, until the Security Council takes measures.

Question 11:
What does the principle of erga omnes obligations mean?
A. Obligations owed to a specific state
B. Obligations owed to the international community as a whole
C. Bilateral treaty duties
D. Domestic legal obligations

Answer: B
Explanation: Erga omnes obligations, as affirmed in cases like the Barcelona Traction case, are duties that a state owes to all other states, such as prohibiting genocide, due to their fundamental nature.

Question 12:
Which convention addresses the rights of refugees?
A. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
B. Convention on the Rights of the Child
C. 1951 Refugee Convention
D. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Answer: C
Explanation: The 1951 Refugee Convention defines the status of refugees and outlines their rights, including non-refoulement, protecting them from being returned to persecution.

Question 13:
What is the significance of the doctrine of state responsibility?
A. It defines how states form governments
B. It holds states accountable for internationally wrongful acts
C. It regulates international trade
D. It governs diplomatic immunity

Answer: B
Explanation: The International Law Commission’s Articles on State Responsibility outline that states are responsible for breaches of international obligations and must provide reparations.

Question 14:
Which body is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Paris Agreement on climate change?
A. International Court of Justice
B. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
C. World Health Organization
D. International Maritime Organization

Answer: B
Explanation: The UNFCCC oversees the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming, through mechanisms like nationally determined contributions and periodic reviews.

Question 15:
What is the concept of extraterritorial jurisdiction in international law?
A. A state’s authority only within its borders
B. A state’s ability to apply its laws outside its territory
C. Exclusive control over international waters
D. Jurisdiction limited to diplomatic matters

Answer: B
Explanation: Extraterritorial jurisdiction allows states to enforce laws beyond their borders in specific circumstances, such as for crimes committed by their nationals abroad.

Question 16:
Which treaty abolished slavery internationally?
A. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
B. Slavery Convention of 1926
C. Geneva Conventions
D. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Answer: B
Explanation: The 1926 Slavery Convention was the first international treaty to define and call for the abolition of slavery and the slave trade, marking a key step in human rights law.

Question 17:
What is the purpose of the Law of the Sea Convention?
A. To regulate air travel
B. To establish rules for ocean governance and resource use
C. To control arms trade
D. To protect endangered species

Answer: B
Explanation: The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982 sets out a comprehensive regime for the uses of the world’s oceans, including maritime boundaries and environmental protection.

Question 18:
Which principle requires states to cooperate in good faith in international relations?
A. Pacta sunt servanda
B. Good offices
C. Principle of cooperation
D. Friendly relations

Answer: C
Explanation: The principle of cooperation, as reflected in the UN Charter and various treaties, mandates that states work together to promote peace, development, and the resolution of global issues.

Question 19:
What does the term “jus cogens” refer to in international law?
A. Customary practices
B. Peremptory norms that cannot be derogated from
C. Bilateral agreements
D. Judicial precedents

Answer: B
Explanation: Jus cogens norms, such as the prohibition of torture, are fundamental principles of international law that are accepted by the international community and override other rules.

Question 20:
Which organization is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally?
A. World Bank
B. United Nations Human Rights Council
C. International Monetary Fund
D. World Trade Organization

Answer: B
Explanation: The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, monitors human rights worldwide, addresses violations, and makes recommendations to improve global human rights standards.