Völkerrechtsverletzung

Völkerrechtsverletzung refers to an act or omission by a state or other subject of international law that contravenes a rule of international law. This breach can be in the form of a treaty violation, a customary international law infraction, or a breach of obligations arising from general principles of law. The responsibility for such a violation typically falls upon the state responsible for the conduct, regardless of whether that conduct was performed by organs of the state, persons or entities exercising elements of governmental authority, or even private individuals acting under the direction or control of the state.

The consequences of a Völkerrechtsverletzung are governed by the principles of state responsibility. Generally, the primary consequence is the obligation of the responsible state to make full reparation for the injury caused by the internationally wrongful act. Reparation can take various forms, including restitution (restoring the situation that existed before the wrongful act), compensation (paying for financially assessable damage), and satisfaction (acknowledging the breach, expressing regret, or offering apologies).

In certain egregious cases, such as violations of peremptory norms of international law (jus cogens), such as prohibitions on genocide, aggression, or systematic human rights abuses, more severe consequences may arise. These can include countermeasures by other states, diplomatic sanctions, or even intervention by international organizations like the United Nations Security Council. The International Court of Justice and other international tribunals play a crucial role in determining whether a Völkerrechtsverletzung has occurred and in adjudicating the appropriate remedies.