Overview

Through the lens of five institutional functions - quasi-legislative, quasi-judicial, recommendatory, empowering and sanctioning - this important book assesses the practice and legal foundations of the United Nations General Assembly in advancing international justice, an increasing priority of the international community. Challenging the assumption that the General Assembly is merely a weak deliberative assembly, Michael Ramsden shows that its pioneering resolutions on international justice have become an invaluable tool in the fight against impunity. As concerns remain over the aptness of international institutions in responding to atrocities, particularly the Security Council, this book establishes the legal foundation for the General Assembly to step into the breach. Chapters also offer innovative arguments on the General Assembly’s institutional powers to end impunity as well as a detailed examination on the influence of General Assembly resolutions in judicial decision-making. International Justice in the United Nations General Assembly will be a key resource for scholars and students in the fields of international law and international institutional law, as well as UN and international institutional practitioners who are involved in policy development.

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9781788119375

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Reviews

'International Justice in the United Nations General Assembly is a much-needed account of the UN General Assembly's under-studied role in international law-making. Ramsden's comprehensive review of the UNGA's role since its founding to advance international accountability for atrocity crimes provides important insight into how UNGA resolutions, Commissions of Inquiry, and other tools shape the jurisprudence of courts, regional bodies, and other UN organs. Ramsden's analysis is an important contribution to understanding the relationship between aspiration and actualization in international law.' - Charlotte Ku, Texas A&M University School of Law, US 'International Justice in the United Nations General Assembly was a revelation. The UN General Assembly occupies a marginal place in most International Law and International Relations scholarship, appearing now and then but rarely as an important protagonist. Michael Ramsden shows how wrong that perspective is in the domain of international justice. Ramsden reveals and carefully assesses the multiple, often indirect, ways in which the General Assembly influences the development of norms, shapes the international justice agenda, motivates political pressure, and promotes action to advance accountability for atrocity crimes.' - Wayne Sandholtz, University of Southern California, US

'International Justice in the United Nations General Assembly is a much-needed account of the UN General Assembly's under-studied role in international law-making. Ramsden's comprehensive review of the UNGA's role since its founding to advance international accountability for atrocity crimes provides important insight into how UNGA resolutions, Commissions of Inquiry, and other tools shape the jurisprudence of courts, regional bodies, and other UN organs. Ramsden's analysis is an important contribution to understanding the relationship between aspiration and actualization in international law.' -- Charlotte Ku, Texas A&M University School of Law, US 'International Justice in the United Nations General Assembly was a revelation. The UN General Assembly occupies a marginal place in most International Law and International Relations scholarship, appearing now and then but rarely as an important protagonist. Michael Ramsden shows how wrong that perspective is in the domain of international justice. Ramsden reveals and carefully assesses the multiple, often indirect, ways in which the General Assembly influences the development of norms, shapes the international justice agenda, motivates political pressure, and promotes action to advance accountability for atrocity crimes.' -- Wayne Sandholtz, University of Southern California, US

'International Justice in the United Nations General Assembly was a revelation. The UN General Assembly occupies a marginal place in most International Law and International Relations scholarship, appearing now and then but rarely as an important protagonist. Michael Ramsden shows how wrong that perspective is in the domain of international justice. Ramsden reveals and carefully assesses the multiple, often indirect, ways in which the General Assembly influences the development of norms, shapes the international justice agenda, motivates political pressure, and promotes action to advance accountability for atrocity crimes.' -- Wayne Sandholtz, University of Southern California, US

Author Information

Michael Ramsden, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Barrister Door Tenant, 25 Bedford Row, London

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