Ending State Officials’ Immunity Saga with respect to grave breaches of IHL – EJIL: Talk! – Go Health Pro

Ending State Officials’ Immunity Saga with respect to grave breaches of IHL – EJIL: Talk! – Go Health Pro

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made two trips in April without being arrested: one to Hungary and the other to the United States (US). While commentators criticized Hungary for failing to arrest Netanyahu, arguing that as a state party to the International Criminal Court (ICC), it had a duty to do so (the ICC initiated non-compliance proceedings), there has been no similar commentary regarding his trip to the US. This is likely because the US is not a state party to the ICC and is therefore under no obligation to cooperate with the Court and arrest him.

However, in this blog post, I argue that there is a universal obligation to arrest Netanyahu for the commission of grave breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) against Palestinians. The source of this obligation lies in the grave breaches regime of the Geneva Conventions for 1949. For that purpose, this post is divided into four sections. First, it outlines the obligations under the grave breaches regime. Second, it demonstrates the status of these obligations under contemporary international law. Third, it examines the question of immunities as a potential bar to enforcing this regime. Finally, it applies this legal framework to the case of Netanyahu.

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The Obligation to Notify the State of the Official in the ILC Draft Articles on Immunity of State Officials from Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction: a Backdoor to Impunity? – Go Health Pro

The Obligation to Notify the State of the Official in the ILC Draft Articles on Immunity of State Officials from Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction: a Backdoor to Impunity? – Go Health Pro

Introduction In April and May 2025, the International Law Commission (ILC) is due to discuss, and possibly adopt on second reading, the Draft Articles on immunity of state officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction, adopted on first reading in 2022. During its session, the ILC will examine amendments to draft articles 7 to18 and an Annex … Read more

China’s molecular ‘elevator’ boosts immunity 150-fold against cancer, viruses: scientists – Go Health Pro

China’s molecular ‘elevator’ boosts immunity 150-fold against cancer, viruses: scientists – Go Health Pro

China has unveiled its latest weapon in the battle against cancer – the world’s most powerful vaccine booster, capable of amplifying immune responses to tumours and infections up to 150-fold, according to researchers. The advance promises two potential benefits: enhanced treatments for malignancies such as melanoma and liver cancer and improved vaccine effectiveness against rapidly … Read more

The Podcast! Episode 30: On the Precipice – The International Criminal Court and State Immunity – EJIL: Talk! – Go Health Pro

Ending State Officials’ Immunity Saga with respect to grave breaches of IHL – EJIL: Talk! – Go Health Pro

In this episode, Paola Gaeta, Director of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights  and Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute, and Roger O’Keefe, Professor of International Law, Bocconi University,  join Marko Milanovic and Philippa Webb to discuss recent developments at the International Criminal Court. The Court has now … Read more