---
title: "ARSIWA Article 2 Definition | Model Diplomat"
description: "ARSIWA Article 2 defines an internationally wrongful act of a State, crucial for understanding state responsibility in international law."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/arsiwa-article-2"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- ARSIWA Article 2 establishes that an internationally wrongful act of a State exists when conduct, attributable to the State and breaching an international obligation, occurs.
- What are the two elements of an internationally wrongful act under Article 2?
- Does Article 2 require fault or damage?
- What is the difference between primary and secondary rules in ARSIWA?
- Is ARSIWA legally binding?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro (2007), the ICJ applied ARSIWA Article 2's attribution-plus-breach test, finding Serbia not directly responsible for genocide because the Srebrenica conduct failed the effective-control attribution standard.

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