6LAW1059-0905-2024 - Public International Law  

 Assignment 1: Problem-Question Analysis

Details

• The assignment question contains two parts, Part A and Part B, both relating to the fictitious scenario below. You must answer both parts. The answers to Part A and B will count, respectively, for 85% and 15% of this assignment’s grade.
• Your answer should be no longer than 8 pages in total. This includes 6 pages for Part A and 1 page for Part B. Your bibliography will not count in the page limit.
• The assignment itself must be submitted as a Word document in Arial font size 11 and in double line spacing.
• Submission deadline: 13 January 2025

Fictitious scenario

The (fictitious) Eldwyn Valley, located at the heart of the (fictitious) Eldwyn Mountain, has been a crossroads between two cultures and peoples for many centuries: the Wynians and the Eldians. The two groups eventually formed the neighbouring states of Wyn and Eld. In the 1990s, the valley officially became part of the state of Eld, where the Eldian population was the majority.

Seven years ago, following a violent political regime change in Wyn, the Wynian military invaded the valley, subjugating its population. Through sheer force and military superiority, the state of Wyn has been able to maintain its presence and exercise control. Although State Eld never accepted this, in practice, Wyn has been able to issue passports, organise schooling, run hospitals, levy taxes, and apply Wynian laws in the valley. Additionally, Wyn obtained official recognition of its sovereignty over the valley from 25 UN member states, including an influential member of the Security Council .

Despite Wyn’s control, a significant part of the valley’s public opinion remains resentful, as shown by the continued support for pro-Eld politicians. Various rebel groups routinely attack Wynian infrastructure.

UN reports have recently shown clear evidence that the rebels receive funding and logistical support from the neighbouring state of Eld, infuriating Wynian authorities and leading to tense relations with Eld.

The following occurs as a result:

• In response, the Government of Wyn formally declares that it will sever all diplomatic ties with Eld. Wyn will add reservations to future treaties, opting out of provisions requiring relations or cooperation with Eld.
• As further evidence is found of the direct involvement of the Eldian military in several skirmishes, the Wynian military bombs important military facilities in Eld. A Wynian General explains that this bombing is a preventive measure based on strategic security needs following what he describes as the “aggressive behaviour and direct attacks by those foreigners on our valley”.
• The Wynian Government also announces the annexation of 10 miles along the frontier to help prevent future attacks.

To further complicate the situation, a permanent member of the UN Security Council announces that they will veto “any UN involvement in this situation”.

PART A - Legal Analysis

Answer in no more than seven (7) pages.

Analyse the key legal issues arising from the scenario by providing legal arguments on how Public International Law principles and cases studied during this first term might apply.

You should structure your answer around several clearly identified legal issues, which you will express as questions, thus allowing for a nuanced legal analysis. Argue and justify your answer by referring to principles of Public International Law studied in this first term, explaining how they might apply to the scenario.

PART B- Connecting your answer to your learning journey: a self-reflection

Answer in no more than one (1) page

In Part B, you are required to show the learning steps you have taken to arrive at your answer and understanding. To this end, your answer could include specific references to the fictitious scenarios and/or other activities undertaken in seminars. For example, you could write,

         "Just as it was argued in seminar [xyz] in relation to [xyz], it is advisable in this scenario ..." Alternatively, you could write "An important difference is that..."

          Or for example "In analysing the scenario in seminar 7,  it became apparent that the principle of self defence [….], therefore it is contended that etc..."

In this way, your learning process would have been made explicit through your references to other fictitious scenarios and/or other class activities.

Warning: If you choose to use an AI tool, you must not be asking any questions of substance. Please note that the answers provided would most certainly lead you astray or be misleading. You may only ask very narrow, specific, and limited questions related to improving your grammar or clarity. Be aware that if your prompts are not sufficiently narrow and specific, or if you ask more than one question at a time, your work could be seriously compromised. You are required to remain the author throughout.