IJ № 2 (10) 2014

Available in Russian


CONTENTS

TRIBUNA

REFORM OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS – CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Lech Garlicki

This article deals with three current reform initiatives which are in the process of final confirmation by the Member-States.

RES JUDICATA

TERRITORIAL DELIMITATION IN WEST AFRICA: JUDGMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE DATED 16 APRIL 2013 IN THE CASE CONCERNINGTHE FRONTIER DISPUTE (BURKINA FASO/NIGER)

Florence Zaoui

In its Judgment of 16 April 2013 the International Court of Justice had to determine the line of the boundary in dispute between Burkina Faso and Niger. For this purpose it applied the principle of intangibility of boundaries inherited from colonization as well as the Agreement between the two Parties of 28 March 1987 which provided practical indications as to how to give effect to this principle.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF JUDGMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN RUSSIA

Anna Demeneva

The article is devoted to the analysis of the European Court of Human Rights in cases of violations of human rights problems within the Russian system of mental health care. This article contains three thematic blocks, each of which combines several decisions with a brief description of the circumstances of the case, outlining the violations, the most important positions and the Court’s findings, as well as a description of the changes in law and practice of the Russian Federation, which followed as general measures of execution State Court judgments.

REVIEW OF INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHT SYSTEM BODIES CASE-LAW FOR FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION

Ekaterina Alisievich

The article highlights the case-law of the supervisory bodies of the American Convention on Human Rights, 1969 on freedom of thought and expression. Particular attention is given to cases of murder/ extrajudicial killings and violence against journalists, to examples of prior censorship, as well as direct and indirect restrictions on freedom of thought and expression in the space of the OAS, that constitute violations not only of Art. 13 of the American Convention, but also of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression, 2000. The article stress the role of the OAS Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression.

EX OFFICIO

TOWARDS THE CREATION OF THE EURASIAN UNION: INTEGRATION AND SUPRANATIONALISM

Tatiana Neshataeva

The author explores the nature and history of supranational international organizations, as well as features of supranational institutions of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan with the latest practices of the judicial authority of the Customs Union – Court of the Eurasian Economic Community.

JUSTICIA

ADVISORY OPINIONS 2: REFORMING ADVISORY JURISDICTION OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou, Noreen O’Meara

Protocol 16 ECHR will provide for an extension of the advisory jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), enabling highest national courts to request advisory opinions on questions of principle concerning the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) or its Protocols. This extension of the ECtHR’s advisory jurisdiction aims to achieve two goals: a reduction in the ECtHR’s excessive docket, and the enhancement of dialogue between the ECtHR and (highest) national courts. While the aims of this reform initiative are laudable, we argue that Protocol 16 is likely to fail to achieve its objectives.

PROTOCOL 15 TO THE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

Aleksandr Zenin

A new development stage of the European Court of Human Rights is adoption of the Protocol 15 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The Protocol 15 provides for an introduction of amendments in the text of the preamble to the Convention and in some of its articles. The analysis of the forthcoming changes introduced by the Protocol 15 into the text of the Convention in the context of the historical aspects of the development of the European Court is given. Special consideration is given to the introduction into the text of the preamble to the Convention the principle of subsidiarity and the doctrine “margin of appreciation” connected with it.

JUS GENTIUM

JURISPRUDENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE ON DISPUTES CONCERNING INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Daria Boklan

The present article examines the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice relating to disputes which involve both international environmental and international economic relations. We are currently witnessing a process of “ecologization” of international economic relations. In the judgments under review, the Court has developed a certain standard whereby economic activities are restricted in order to prevent environmental harm.

JUS HOMINUM

POSITIVE OBLIGATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF THE INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM

Burgorgue-Larsen Laurence

This article presents a broad enough view. On the one hand, consider the specific content of the American Convention on Human Rights as an international treaty and its interpretation of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In this context, will highlight the content, scope and, most importantly, the legal consequences arising from the general obligation of States enshrined in Article 2 in conjunction with Article 1(1) of the Convention in national measures. On the other hand, the article provides an overview of the legal positions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights aimed at expanding the obligations of States – members of the Convention by a wide range of additional, specific commitments.

FORUM INCOGNITA

ESTABLISHING PERMANENT REGIONAL GOOD OFFICES FOR TRADE DISPUTES IN ASIA

Chang-fa Lo

The article is dedicated to different approaches utilized by Asian and Western countries in settlement of international trade disputes. The author demonstrates that most Asian countries follow their own way in resolution of interstate trade disputes in WTO and regional free trade agreements. It can be characterized as less contentious and more oriented toward cooperation and preservation of good relations between states for cultural and philosophical reasons. Dispute settlement mechanisms must be neutral, of lower cost and less resource-intensive, with lower extent of legality. One of such mechanisms is Permanent Regional Good Offices for trade disputes in Asia.

PERSONA GRATA

THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF GERMANY: THE IMPACT, RATHER THAN RIVALRY

Interview with Angelika Nussberger