International conflicts can be resolved peacefully in Court, not on the Battlefield

Posted: 4th April 2024

UNFOLD ZERO Update

You can help end war through LAW
International conflicts can be resolved
peacefully in Court, not on the Battlefield

LAW not War (Legal Alternatives to War) is a global campaign to ensure that international conflicts are resolved peacefully and fairly through the rule of law and better use of the International Court of Justice, not through the catastrophe of war.  Please help by visiting the LAW not War crowdfunding page, watch the LAW not War introduction video, and donate to the campaign.
 Visit the LAW not War crowdfunding page

ICJ Success Story #2: Nuclear Tests Cases, 1974 and 1995

(See UNFOLD ZERO March 16 newsletter for ICJ Success Story #1: Chad v Libya)
French nuclear test at Moruroa Atoll in the Pacific. The nuclear testing program contributed to the nuclear arms race and created massive amounts of radioactive fallout impacting severely on human health and the environment in the Pacific Islands. The International Court of Justice works. 

Since its establishment in 1945 it has considered 192 cases. An analysis of ICJ cases by Judge C.G. Weeramantry (former Vice-President of the ICJ), indicated that about 90% of ICJ cases are implemented, either fully or mostly.

Some cases are effective even if there is no formal decision. In the 1973 Nuclear Tests Case, for example, New Zealand and Australia took France to the Court over the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific. This helped pressure France to announce an end to atmospheric testing in 1974, even before the case reached a conclusion.

New Zealand returned to the Court in 1995 to challenge France’s underground nuclear testing program. The result? France ended its nuclear testing program for good in 1996, closed down the nuclear test site and joined the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Watch the 2-minute LAW not War video. Be inspired. Support the campaign.

Persuading countries to use law, not war, to resolve conflicts

With armed conflict raging in many parts of the globe, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. However, the LAW not War campaign demonstrates that peace is possible. Legal processes and solutions to international disputes are not only available – in most cases when used, they work.

The challenge is tough – to convince all countries to choose diplomacy and LAW, not war, to resolve international disputes and achieve security. To make this happen, LAW not War has brought together legal and political experts, along with nearly 100 respected organizations from around the world.

Now we need your support to help run the campaign and ensure success.

What your contribution to LAW not War will enable

Your support will help us kickstart our campaign and undertake key activities. In particular it will assist:

• Advocacy: We engage directly with States to encourage them to make better use of the jurisdiction of the court for international conflicts and other critical global issues. This includes encouraging States that have not yet accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ to do so.
• Spreading ICJ success stories: There are numerous success stories of the ICJ resolving international conflicts. Spreading these stories can increase awareness of the value of the court and encourage additional States to accept its jurisdiction.
• Key Events: LAW not War is organizing key events at the United Nations, inter-parliamentary and treaty body assemblies, international law events and relevant civil society conferences.

Yours sincerely
UNFOLD ZERO