Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

Complete and unrestricted authority of a state over its territory and population without external interference.

Protection granted by a state to individuals fleeing persecution from their home country.

A treaty establishing terms and protections for investments made by investors from one country in another country.

Agreed standards and rules that govern state behavior in cyberspace to promote stability and prevent conflict.

The principle that states have the right to govern and control cyberspace within their territorial borders.

The automatic reinstatement of previously lifted economic sanctions when a party violates an international agreement. It serves as a mechanism to enforce compliance.

The principle advocating that human rights are inalienable and applicable to all people regardless of culture or nation, championed by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Rules ensuring fair and just division of maritime boundaries between states, considering geography and other relevant factors.

Voluntary payments made by a state or organization without admitting legal obligation, often to victims of conflict or human rights violations.

An EEZ is a maritime zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from a coastal state’s shore where it has special rights over natural resources.

The formal process by which one state surrenders an individual accused or convicted of a crime to another state for prosecution or punishment.

A bilateral or multilateral agreement facilitating the handing over of accused or convicted persons between states.

A legal doctrine allowing courts to dismiss a case when another forum is more appropriate for hearing the dispute.

The principle allowing ships of all states to sail through international waters without interference, subject to international law.

Immunity granted to state officials for acts performed in their official capacity, protecting them from foreign jurisdiction.

Protection granted to state officials from foreign jurisdiction for acts performed in their official capacity, distinct from personal immunity.

International treaties setting standards for humanitarian treatment during war, including protections for civilians and prisoners.

Humanitarian intervention is the use of military force by one or more states to prevent or stop widespread suffering or human rights violations in another state.

The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the UN that settles legal disputes between states.

Protection granted to certain persons or property from enforcement measures such as seizure or attachment under foreign jurisdiction.

Immunity granted to state officials for acts performed in their official capacity, protecting them from foreign jurisdiction.

The principal judicial organ of the UN that settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions.

The body of law governing the protection of refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons under international treaties and customs.

Legal criteria that must be met before engaging in war, including just cause and legitimate authority.

Fundamental principles of international law that are universally recognized and cannot be violated by any state.

Formal requests from courts in one country to judicial authorities in another for assistance in obtaining evidence or serving documents.

Fundamental human rights that cannot be suspended or limited, even during emergencies or armed conflicts.

A key international law principle forbidding states from interfering in the internal affairs of other states.

Compensation for losses that are not predetermined or fixed in amount but assessed by courts or tribunals based on proof of actual harm.

International agreements and institutions designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful nuclear energy use.

Post-World War II military tribunals prosecuting prominent Nazi leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The use of force to prevent an imminent attack, justified before the attack actually occurs under international law.

Qualified majority voting is a decision-making process requiring a specified threshold of weighted votes, often used in international organizations to adopt binding measures.

An international norm that states have the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

International norm obligating states to prevent mass atrocities within their borders or accept international intervention.

An international norm that states must protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

A UN Security Council body responsible for overseeing the implementation of sanctions regimes against states or entities.

A 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidating China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, a key regional dispute.

Sovereign debt restructuring is the process by which a state renegotiates its debt obligations to improve repayment terms and financial stability.

Tension between state sovereignty and international intervention for human rights or security.

The condition of individuals who are not recognized as citizens by any country, lacking legal nationality.

The involvement of an external state or organization in an ongoing dispute or conflict between other states with consent or without.

Environmental contamination that crosses national borders, requiring international cooperation to manage.

A set of principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures governing a specific international issue.

Treaty reservations are unilateral statements modifying treaty obligations, while objections are responses by other states rejecting such reservations.

Treaty termination clauses specify the conditions and procedures under which a treaty may be ended or withdrawn from by the parties.

International norm that states have a duty to protect populations from mass atrocities and the global community must intervene if they fail.

The principle that states have exclusive authority over their territory and domestic affairs without external interference.

The WTO entity responsible for resolving trade disputes between member countries.