Legal Definitions - jus inter gentes

Jus inter gentes is a Latin term that translates to "law among nations." It refers specifically to the body of international law that governs the relationships, interactions, and conduct between sovereign states. Essentially, it comprises the rules and principles that nations agree to follow in their dealings with one another, covering a wide range of areas from treaties and trade to human rights and the resolution of international disputes.

• International Climate Agreements: When multiple countries, such as France, India, and Brazil, sign and ratify a global climate accord that sets targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and establishes mechanisms for international cooperation on environmental protection.

  This agreement exemplifies jus inter gentes because it creates legally binding obligations and shared responsibilities that govern the environmental conduct and cooperation between these sovereign nations on a global issue.

• Maritime Boundary Delimitation: If two coastal nations, Country A and Country B, have overlapping claims to a particular area of the ocean and its resources, and they negotiate a treaty to precisely define their maritime border.

  The resulting treaty is a clear application of jus inter gentes, as it establishes a legal framework that dictates the rights and responsibilities of each state regarding their shared maritime space, thereby regulating the relationship between them.

• International Criminal Court Jurisdiction: When a former head of state from Country X is accused of committing war crimes or genocide within their own country, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) initiates proceedings against them, with the support or non-objection of other member states.

  The jurisdiction of the ICC and the principles of international criminal law it applies are aspects of jus inter gentes. These laws define what constitutes internationally prohibited conduct and how states cooperate in prosecuting such crimes, reflecting a shared legal understanding among nations.