Harvard International Law Journal

The oldest and most-cited student-edited journal of international law, the Harvard International Law Journal covers a wide variety of topics in public and private international law.

Middle East

Bahrain Accedes to WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty

Filed Under: Digest

Upon depositing its instrument of accession at WIPO on December 18, 2006, Bahrain became the 136th contracting state of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The Treaty will enter into force for Bahrain on March 18, 2007. The PCT allows for the filing of a single “international” patent treaty which applies as if a national patent application had been filed with the national patent office of each contracting state, eliminating the need for applicants to file separate patent applications with each individual member country.

For further information: http://www.wipo.int/edocs/prdocs/en/2007/wipo_upd_2007_284.html

Iraq Executes Saddam's Co-defendants Despite UN Concerns

Filed Under: Digest

Saddam Hussein’s two co-defendants were executed today (1/15/07) in Iraq. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour had appealed to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to stay the executions due to concerns over the fairness of the trial and the appeals process. Arbour and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released statements expressing their regret over today’s executions.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21236&Cr=iraq&Cr1=

UN High Commissioner Appeals to Iraqi President

Filed Under: Digest

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has appealed to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to prevent the execution of two of Saddam Hussein’s co-defendants. Arbour argued that international law allows the death penalty only in exceptional circumstances and that international obligations require Iraq to give the two men an opportunity to seek commutation or pardon. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has given his support to Arbour’s appeal.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21147&Cr=iraq&Cr1= 

UN Human Rights Expert Criticizes Saddam’s Execution

Filed Under: Digest

NYU Law Professor Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, finds that glaring flaws in the trial of Saddam Hussein denied him a fair hearing. He specifically criticizes the speed with which the execution followed the final judgment, barring Saddam from any meaningful appeal. He also finds that the mocking Saddam was subjected to during his execution, and the subsequent release of the footage to the world, was a clear violation of human rights laws. The first step towards reform of Iraq’s justice system, according to Alston, would be to halt the execution of Saddam’s co-defendants.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21155&Cr=iraq&Cr1=

UN Report Condemns Israel's Actions in Lebanon

Filed Under: Digest

A report mandated by the Human Rights Council on Israel’s summer war with Hizbollah in Lebanon was presented in Geneva on Friday. The report states that Israel’s actions were excessive, not justified by military necessity and went beyond the arguments of proportionality. The report claims that Israel violated obligations of international and humanitarian law. Israel spoke out against the report, saying the report ignored the obligations of the Lebanese Government to prevent the use of its territory for hostile acts, and to disarm and disband Hizbollah.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20832&Cr=lebanon&Cr1=council

Desmond Tutu to Head UN Probe of Beit Hanoun Killings

Filed Under: Digest

Desmond Tutu will head the UN Human Rights Council fact-finding mission into the attack on Beit Hanoun that killed 19 Palestinian civilians. Part of the mission is to make recommendations on ways and means to protect Palestinian civilians against further Israeli assaults. Israel claims the attack, caused by Israeli military operations in Gaza, was the result of a technical error. Israel has apologized. A progress report is due no later than mid-December.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20776&Cr=palestin&Cr1=