Indication of Provisional Measures Amidst the Interpretation of Judgments in the International Court of Justice
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Published:
Dec 13, 2019
Keywords:
Provisional Measure, Interpretation of Judgment, International Court of Justice, Avena, Preah Vihear
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Abstract
The judgment of the International Court of Justice has the effect of res judicata as confirmed by Article 60 of the Statute. However, under certain circumstances, a party may file a petition to the Court requesting an interpretation or a revision of a judgment. As for the interpretation, where there is a dispute pertaining to the meaning or scope of the judgment, either party may request the Court to construe such disputing subject matter. Considering the objective of the provisional measures to preliminarily protect parties before the issuance of final judgments, one may question the Court’s authority to order provisional measures amidst the interpretation proceeding. Notwithstanding this concern, the Court has granted provisional measures in the middle of two interpretation proceedings: the Avena the Preah Vihear Interpretations. This article focuses on the Court’s authority to order provisional measures during interpretation proceedings. It aims to clarify when and under what circumstance can and should the Court exercise such power.
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References
Books
Elkind JB, Interim Protection: A Functional Approach (Martinus Nijhoff 1971)
Fitzmaurice G, The Law and Procedure of the International Court of Justice, vol 2 (1986)
Kaikobad KH, Interpretation and Revision of International Boundary Decisions (Cambridge 2007)
Kawano M, ‘Provisional Measures as a Necessary Instrument for Effective Justice’, Comparative Studies on Enforcement and Provisional Measures (2011)
Merrills JG, International Dispute Settlement (2011)
Rieter E, Preventing Irreparable Harm: Provisional Measures in International Human Rights Adjudication (2010)
Rosenne S, The Law and Practice of the International Court, 1920-1996, vol III (3rd edn, Martinus Nijhoff 1997)
——, Provisional Measures in International Law (2005)
Sztucki J, Interim Measures in the Hague Court (1983)
Book Chapters
Oellers-Frahm K, ‘Article 41’, the Statute of the International Court of Justice: A Commentary (Andreas Zimmerman et al, Oxford 2006)
Zimmermann A and Thienel T, ‘Article 60’, the Statute of the International Court of Justice: A Commentary (Andreas Zimmerman et al, Oxford 2006)
Journal Articles
Duxbury A, ‘Saving Lives in the International Court of Justice: The Use of Provisional Measures to Protect Human Rights’ (2000) 31 California Western International Law Journal 141
Essoff PA, ‘Finland v. Denmark: A Call to Clarify the International Court of Justice’s Standards for Provisional Measures’ (1992) 15 Fordham International Law Journal 839
Mendelson MH, ‘Interim Measures of Protection in Cases of Contested Jurisdiction’ (1972) 46 British Yearbook of International Law 259
Merrills JG, ‘Interim Measures of Protection in the Recent Jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice’ (1995) 44 International and Comparative Law Quarterly 90
——, ‘Expanding the Competence to Issue Provisional Measures - Strengthening the International Judicial Function’ (2011) 12 German Law Journal 1279
Pasqualucci JM, ‘Provisional Measures in the American Human Rights System: An Innovative Development in International Law’ (1993) 26 Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law 803
——, ‘Interim Measures in International Human Rights: Evolution and Harmonization’ (2005) 38 Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law 1
Shulman K, ‘The Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand): The ICJ Orders Sweeping Provisional Measures to Prevent Armed Conflict at the Expense of Sovereignty’ (2012) 20 Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law 555
Traviss AC, ‘Temple of Preah Vihear: Lessons on Provisional Measures’ (2012) 13 Chicago Journal of International Law 317
Cases
Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), 2004 I.C.J. 1 (Mar. 31).
Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), Request for the Indication of Provisional Measures of Protection (June 5, 2008).
Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex. v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 2003 I.C.J. 77 (Feb. 5)
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case Concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), Application Instituting Proceedings, 2008 I.C.J. 1 (June 5).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case Concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), 2009 I.C.J. 3 (Jan. 19).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case Concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 2008 I.C.J. 311 (July 16).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of November 20th, 1950, in the Asylum Case (Colom. v. Peru), 1950 I.C.J. 395 (Nov. 27).
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosn. & Herz. v. Serb. & Montenegro), Provisional Measures, 1993 I.C.J. 3 (Apr. 8).
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosn. & Herz. v. Serb. & Montenegro), 2007 I.C.J. 47 (Feb. 26).
Denunciation of the Treaty of 2 November 1865 between China and Belgium (China v. Belg.), 1927 P.C.I.J. (ser. A) No. 8 (Jan. 8).
Electricity Company of Sofia and Bulgaria , 1939 P.C.I.J. (ser. A/B,) No. 79 (Dec. 5).
Fisheries Jurisdiction (U.K. v. Ice.), Interim Measures, 1972 I.C.J. 12 (Aug. 17)
Frontier Dispute (Burk. Faso v. Mali), Provisional Measures, 1986 I.C.J. 3 (Jan. 10).
Nuclear Tests (Austl v. Fr.), Interim Measures, 1973 I.C.J. 99 (June 22).
Indus Waters Kishenganga (Pak. v. India), PCA Case No. 2011-01, Interim Measures (Sep. 23, 2011)
Interhandel (Switz. v. U.S.), Interim Measures, 1957 I.C.J. 105 (Oct. 24).
Lagrand (Ger v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 1999 I.C.J. 9 (Mar 3).
Lagrand (Ger. v. U.S.), 2001 I.C.J. 466 (June 27).
Legal Status of the South Eastern Territory of Greenland (Den. v. Nor.), 1932 P.C.I.J. (ser. A/B) No. 48 (Aug. 3).
Passage through the Great Belt (Fin. v. Den.), Provisional Measures, 1991 I.C.J. 12 (July 29).
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), 1962 I.C.J. 6 (June 15).
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), Application Instituting Proceedings (Oct. 6, 1959).
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), Preliminary Objections, 1961 I.C.J. 17 (May 26).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear, Application Instituting Proceedings (Apr. 28, 2011).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear, Request by the Kingdom of Cambodia for the Indication of Provisional Measures, ¶ 2 (Apr. 28, 2011).
Request for interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), Provisional Measures, 2011 I.C.J. 151 (July 18).
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (Para. v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 1998 I.C.J. 248 (Apr. 9).
Other Documents
Bush GW, ‘Memorandum for the Attorney General: Compliance with the Decision of the International Court of Justice in Avena’ accessed 27 December 2018
Wolfrum R, ‘Interim (Provisional) Measures of Protection’, The Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law (2006) accessed 27 December 2018
Elkind JB, Interim Protection: A Functional Approach (Martinus Nijhoff 1971)
Fitzmaurice G, The Law and Procedure of the International Court of Justice, vol 2 (1986)
Kaikobad KH, Interpretation and Revision of International Boundary Decisions (Cambridge 2007)
Kawano M, ‘Provisional Measures as a Necessary Instrument for Effective Justice’, Comparative Studies on Enforcement and Provisional Measures (2011)
Merrills JG, International Dispute Settlement (2011)
Rieter E, Preventing Irreparable Harm: Provisional Measures in International Human Rights Adjudication (2010)
Rosenne S, The Law and Practice of the International Court, 1920-1996, vol III (3rd edn, Martinus Nijhoff 1997)
——, Provisional Measures in International Law (2005)
Sztucki J, Interim Measures in the Hague Court (1983)
Book Chapters
Oellers-Frahm K, ‘Article 41’, the Statute of the International Court of Justice: A Commentary (Andreas Zimmerman et al, Oxford 2006)
Zimmermann A and Thienel T, ‘Article 60’, the Statute of the International Court of Justice: A Commentary (Andreas Zimmerman et al, Oxford 2006)
Journal Articles
Duxbury A, ‘Saving Lives in the International Court of Justice: The Use of Provisional Measures to Protect Human Rights’ (2000) 31 California Western International Law Journal 141
Essoff PA, ‘Finland v. Denmark: A Call to Clarify the International Court of Justice’s Standards for Provisional Measures’ (1992) 15 Fordham International Law Journal 839
Mendelson MH, ‘Interim Measures of Protection in Cases of Contested Jurisdiction’ (1972) 46 British Yearbook of International Law 259
Merrills JG, ‘Interim Measures of Protection in the Recent Jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice’ (1995) 44 International and Comparative Law Quarterly 90
——, ‘Expanding the Competence to Issue Provisional Measures - Strengthening the International Judicial Function’ (2011) 12 German Law Journal 1279
Pasqualucci JM, ‘Provisional Measures in the American Human Rights System: An Innovative Development in International Law’ (1993) 26 Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law 803
——, ‘Interim Measures in International Human Rights: Evolution and Harmonization’ (2005) 38 Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law 1
Shulman K, ‘The Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand): The ICJ Orders Sweeping Provisional Measures to Prevent Armed Conflict at the Expense of Sovereignty’ (2012) 20 Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law 555
Traviss AC, ‘Temple of Preah Vihear: Lessons on Provisional Measures’ (2012) 13 Chicago Journal of International Law 317
Cases
Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), 2004 I.C.J. 1 (Mar. 31).
Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), Request for the Indication of Provisional Measures of Protection (June 5, 2008).
Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex. v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 2003 I.C.J. 77 (Feb. 5)
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case Concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), Application Instituting Proceedings, 2008 I.C.J. 1 (June 5).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case Concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), 2009 I.C.J. 3 (Jan. 19).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case Concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mex v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 2008 I.C.J. 311 (July 16).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of November 20th, 1950, in the Asylum Case (Colom. v. Peru), 1950 I.C.J. 395 (Nov. 27).
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosn. & Herz. v. Serb. & Montenegro), Provisional Measures, 1993 I.C.J. 3 (Apr. 8).
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosn. & Herz. v. Serb. & Montenegro), 2007 I.C.J. 47 (Feb. 26).
Denunciation of the Treaty of 2 November 1865 between China and Belgium (China v. Belg.), 1927 P.C.I.J. (ser. A) No. 8 (Jan. 8).
Electricity Company of Sofia and Bulgaria , 1939 P.C.I.J. (ser. A/B,) No. 79 (Dec. 5).
Fisheries Jurisdiction (U.K. v. Ice.), Interim Measures, 1972 I.C.J. 12 (Aug. 17)
Frontier Dispute (Burk. Faso v. Mali), Provisional Measures, 1986 I.C.J. 3 (Jan. 10).
Nuclear Tests (Austl v. Fr.), Interim Measures, 1973 I.C.J. 99 (June 22).
Indus Waters Kishenganga (Pak. v. India), PCA Case No. 2011-01, Interim Measures (Sep. 23, 2011)
Interhandel (Switz. v. U.S.), Interim Measures, 1957 I.C.J. 105 (Oct. 24).
Lagrand (Ger v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 1999 I.C.J. 9 (Mar 3).
Lagrand (Ger. v. U.S.), 2001 I.C.J. 466 (June 27).
Legal Status of the South Eastern Territory of Greenland (Den. v. Nor.), 1932 P.C.I.J. (ser. A/B) No. 48 (Aug. 3).
Passage through the Great Belt (Fin. v. Den.), Provisional Measures, 1991 I.C.J. 12 (July 29).
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), 1962 I.C.J. 6 (June 15).
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), Application Instituting Proceedings (Oct. 6, 1959).
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), Preliminary Objections, 1961 I.C.J. 17 (May 26).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear, Application Instituting Proceedings (Apr. 28, 2011).
Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the Case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear, Request by the Kingdom of Cambodia for the Indication of Provisional Measures, ¶ 2 (Apr. 28, 2011).
Request for interpretation of the Judgment of 15 June 1962 in the case concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thai.), Provisional Measures, 2011 I.C.J. 151 (July 18).
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (Para. v. U.S.), Provisional Measures, 1998 I.C.J. 248 (Apr. 9).
Other Documents
Bush GW, ‘Memorandum for the Attorney General: Compliance with the Decision of the International Court of Justice in Avena’
Wolfrum R, ‘Interim (Provisional) Measures of Protection’, The Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law (2006)