4. Hierarchy in International Law within the Context of Its Fragmentation

Abstract

The rule of law can serve as a helpful guide to ensure that recourse to legislative action by the Security Council strengthens the international legal order in an appropriate, legally sound manner without transgressing the system's basic norms and principles. In the context of the UN's counter-terrorism work, much attention has been devoted to rule of law issues arising from targeted sanctions against individuals. The international focus on the rule of law has ensured that the responsibility for individual acts is not only addressed in the context of international criminal law. Political instruments, accountability and good governance have become increasingly important not only as indicators in the evaluation of the administration of states and international organizations but also, in combination with public pressure, as an effective tool to induce states and international organizations and their organs to provide transparency and justification regarding administrative issues beyond legal obligations to do so. Keywords: counter-terrorism; individual criminal responsibility; international relations; legislative acts; rule of law; security council