The recent emergence of many new states and the creation of a large number of international institutions have resulted in considerable growth in the number of persons having diplomatic status. However, an unfortunate side-effect of this growth has been a corresponding increase in the number of attacks on diplomatic personnel, as symbolic figures diplomats are targets for all types of political violence. This book provides an in-depth examination of the legal and non-legal regimes directed towards the protection of diplomatic personnel around the world. It examines the theoretical and practical justifications for the granting of special protection to such personnel and also particular recent developments in international law relating to the prevention of terrorism and the development of international criminal law, including the International Criminal Court.

The recent emergence of many new states and the creation of a large number of international institutions have resulted in considerable growth in the number of persons having diplomatic status. However, an unfortunate side-effect of this growth has been a corresponding increase in the number of attacks on diplomatic personnel, as symbolic figures diplomats are targets for all types of political violence. This book provides an in-depth examination of the legal and non-legal regimes directed towards the protection of diplomatic personnel around the world. It examines the theoretical and practical justifications for the granting of special protection to such personnel and also particular recent developments in international law relating to the prevention of terrorism and the development of international criminal law, including the International Criminal Court.

The disciplines of international law and international relations are inextricably linked. Both are concerned with the activities of states and with predicting how states behave and on what basis.For the international lawyer, however, the key concern is the role of the law. On the other hand, political scientists have traditionally regarded international law with skepticism, if not contempt. In recent years new approaches in both disciplines have seen moves towards greater interdisciplinary collaboration. Indeed, at the start of the twenty-first century, theorists from both disciplines are talking actively about the development of a dual agenda of international law and international relations. This means that students of international relations need increasingly to be familiar with the terminology and methodology of international law.This essential introductory text examines the key concepts in international law with a view to illuminating them in the context of international relations. The first part of the book provides coverage of theoretical issues, addressing questions such as: How does international law work? How is international law made? and To whom does international law apply? The second part examines international law in context, focusing on the role of treaties and customary international law, the role of individuals in international law and the legal control of the use of force. It also uses case-study material including an examination of the Pinochet litigation.