Question

A nation engages in human rights violations within its own borders, including acts of genocide against a specific ethnic group. Under erga omnes obligations, what are the legal responsibilities of the international community, even if there is no direct threat to neighbouring states?

Hint:

Erga omnes obligations require the international community to prevent and respond to grave human rights violations universally, regardless of territorial boundaries.

Answer 1

Erga omnes obligations are obligations owed by states towards the international community as a whole. These obligations include the protection of fundamental human rights and the prevention of serious crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
In the case of human rights violations and genocide within a nation's borders, under erga omnes obligations:
The international community has a collective legal responsibility to act, regardless of whether there is a direct threat to neighboring states.
This may include condemning the violations, imposing sanctions, or intervening through diplomatic, economic, or military means to stop the atrocities.
The principle ensures that states cannot remain passive or silent when grave breaches of human rights occur anywhere.
It also justifies international criminal prosecutions and actions by international bodies like the United Nations.
Thus, erga omnes obligations compel all states and international organizations to take measures to prevent and punish human rights violations like genocide, emphasizing the universality of human rights protection.