TEXT 1. INTERNATIONAL LAW
International law is the body of rules and general principles that nations are expected to observe in their relations with one another. Some international laws result from years of custom. Others originate in general principles of law recognized by civilized nations. Still others have been agreed to in treaties or determined by judicial decisions. Many of the customs of international relations have existed for hundreds of years. For example, the ancient Greeks protected foreign ambassadors from mistreatment even in wartime. For about 2,000 years, nations have given ambassadors similar protection. Treaties or contracts between countries have been in use for thousands of years. Many treaties are for trade between countries. Others are for granting reciprocal rights to citizens, such as extradition treaties. Kinds of international law The rules of international law are generally divided into laws of peace, of war, and of neutrality. Peace is considered the normal relationship between nations. The laws of peace define the rights and duties of nations at peace with one another. Each country has a right to existence, legal equality, jurisdiction over its territory, ownership of property, and diplomatic relations with other countries. Many of the laws of peace deal with recognizing countries as members of the family of nations and recognizing new governments in old nations. Most governments are recognized de jure – that is, as rightful governments. Under unsettled conditions, a government may be recognized de facto – that is, as actually controlling the country, whether or not by right. Rules dealing with territory include the rights and duties of aliens, the right of passage through territorial waters, and the extradition of criminals. The laws of war. War is still recognized under traditional international law. Warring states are called belligerents. The laws of war provide definite restrictions on methods of warfare. For example, undefended towns, called open cities, must not be bombarded. Private property must not be seized by invaders without compensation. Surrendering soldiers may not be killed or assaulted and must be treated as prisoners of war. All the laws of war have been violated repeatedly. In wartime, nations fight for their existence, and it is not always possible to get them to follow rules. Each nation does its best to destroy its enemy, and it uses the most effective weapons it can find. Even in war, however, many international rules are observed. During World War II (1939-1945), many of the belligerent nations followed the international rules for the treatment of prisoners of war. Millions of former prisoners of war are alive today because these rules were followed more often than they were broken. The laws of neutrality. Under international law, belligerents are forbidden to move troops across neutral territory. Neutral waters and ports must not be used for naval operations. Belligerent warships entering neutral ports must leave within 24 hours or be interned. In the 1800’s and 1900’s, neutral nations claimed many rights for their ships on the high seas. But the laws about neutrals, like the laws about war, are often broken. Neutral countries have been invaded in many wars, and neutral rights on the high seas are frequently ignored. Give Russian equivalents to the following word combinations. to enforce law, to break law, trade treaty, foreign ambassador, nation’s jurisdiction, to declare war, to settle disputes, boundary disputes, naval operations, neutral territory, invaders Match the synonyms.
Complete the following sentences on the basis of the text. 1) The rules of international law are.... 2) The laws of neutrality are.... 3) The law of peace deals with.... 4) Rules dealing with territory include.... 5) Every country has a right to....
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