Cases before International Courts and Tribunals concerning Questions of Public International Law Involving Australia 2020

Abstract

In the year 2020, Australia’s engagement with international law was oriented around several key areas. In relation to the International Criminal Court (‘ICC’), Australia submitted amicus curiae observations relating to the Court’s jurisdiction over Palestine. In addition, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor published its decision not to further investigate alleged crimes against humanity committed by Australian officials against asylum seekers and refugees in offshore detention centres. Australia also closely watched the proceedings in the International Court of Justice (‘ICJ’) regarding Myanmar’s alleged breaches of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’). Australia also had an active year in the sphere of international trade disputes, with several matters in the World Trade Organization.