Fall 2024
The Law of International Organizations will examine the principal issues regarding organizations whose membership is that of states. This examination will scrutinize the legal personality and powers of such institutions; the manner in which the states parties as members participate; enforce decisions through mechanisms; dispute settlement; peace and security undertakings. In equal manner, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by these organizations will be discussed and their concomitant right to the host countries and their relationship with national law and the role played in this regard by international law. The course of study will canvass the formation, membership, internal structures regarding decision making, sanctions, accountability and control of such organizations while also examining their impact internationally as well as on the particular regions to which they are applicable. While special emphasis will be placed on the United Nations systems, by virtue of its vast influence and law making capabilities, other intergovernmental organizations will be examined such as the Commonwealth Secretariat alongside regional institutions and their families of institutions which will include, the European Union (EU); the Organization of American States; the Latin American Economic System (SELA); the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA);the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN); the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
