International Security Research Articles

The Offense-Defense Balance in Cyberspace

The study of cyber strategy and its implications for international security has become increasingly crucial, necessitating an examination of the unique challenges posed by the dynamic and stealthy nature of the cyber domain. This paper addresses whether offensive or defensive strategies prevail in cyberspace, especially in light of evolving technological landscapes and debates over cyber threats. By applying offense-defense theory from international relations, the research explores the nuanced relationship between offensive and defensive operations in cyberspace. Despite prevalent views favoring offense dominance, recent skepticism questions the severity of cyber threats and suggests a possible overemphasis on offensive operations. This paper systematically examines the core concepts, findings, and operational variables of offense-defense theory, providing clarity to the conceptual debates surrounding cyber conflict. Recognizing the unique characteristics of the cyber domain, it urges a careful consideration of biases that may distort judgments about offense dominance. The evolving nature of cyberspace and its potential for redesign introduces caution and underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the offense-defense balance. The preliminary assessment concludes that the question of whether offense or defense "dominates" in cyberspace is overly simplistic. Given the intricate interactions of cyber capabilities, other coercive means available to states, and the dynamic evolution of cyber technology, this question can only be answered within specific contextual and chronological boundaries. Within such conditions, the state of the offense-defense balance is crucial to tactical and operational decision-making. At the strategic policymaking level, the more coherent question is how cyber technologies are shifting the balance of advantages between offense and defense in the overall military posture of states. In essence, this paper provides valuable insights into the ongoing discourse on cyber strategy, theoretical frameworks, and nuanced analyses to inform policy and strategic decision-making in the face of evolving cyber threats.

From crime to punishment. The role of transitional justice mechanisms in strengthening the internal security of a state on the example of Ukraine (2022-2023)

From crime to punishment. The role of transitional justice mechanisms in strengthening the internal security of a state on the example of Ukraine (2022-2023)

Characterization of Slovak police legislation

Aim: The purpose of the study is to present the system of Slovak police legislation from the authors’ scientific point of view and personal experience, and to approach the place of the subjects of police law in the Slovak legal system and in the law enforcement administration by interpreting the sources of police law. Methodology: The authors apply the standard methods of scientific investigation of the topics of police administration and police law, with particular attention to the police. Primarily, they present an analysis of the system of legal norms regulating the legal status of the police in the police mechanism of the state. Findings: The security system of the Slovak Republic is based on the security policy of the state, which contains the basic priorities implemented by the system of state bodies and institutions. The Ministry of the Interior, as the central state body responsible for the internal security and public order of the state, is primarily responsible for the implementation of the stated priorities. From the point of view of the operation of the rule of law, it is important to define legal sources for the subjects of police law that regulate the powers, duties and activities of these subjects. A special legal status is enjoyed by law enforcement authorities, which are composed of elements that ensure the effective and rational implementation of powers defined by formal legal sources. The specific tasks of the police are determined by legal norms, which are provided by individual services through police bodies. The mentioned police bodies operate at certain levels of regional and functional importance within the police system. The police is one of the important organisations that guarantee the internal security of the state and occupies an irreplaceable place in the implementation of the state's security policy. Value: The result of the scientific examination of the position of the police in the security system of the state is that it is determined what tasks the police perform as a subject of police law in the Slovak Republic. The academic work points to the organisation of the police and the system of legal norms regulating the powers of the police, especially to guarantee the internal security of the state.

Global challenges to modern international security system

Global challenges to modern international security system

Information War - International Security Dilemma in the Modern World

In the modern world, in the field of international security, one of the important challenges is the information war. On the other hand, information is a universal and cheap weapon with a limitless scope and high efficiency. Therefore, it can be more dangerous than any conventional means of warfare. During its implementation, the attacking side achieves the desired outcome through the psychological manipulation of common beliefs. During the last ten years, the rate of disinformation has increased sharply. Also, propaganda, espionage, uncontrolled dissemination of state secrets and personal information, massive cyber-attacks and so on. Both states and terrorist organizations use such mechanisms. Today, the most functional means of information in this field are used by terrorist organizations, which often use social media to recruit so-called “Islamic Fighters” and lay out fundamentalism. Cooperation at the international and regional levels is important in fighting cybercrime and protecting critical information infrastructure. For this purpose, within the framework of the Council of Europe, the European Union, the United Nations, NATO, and other international organizations, it carries out active activities on cyber security topics. In addition, protecting against cyber intrusion, even on a small scale, is in the country’s national security interests, and it is crucial to involve each state in the proceeding discussion about information warfare.

UKRAINIAN MILITARY EDUCATION: ЕURO-АTLANTIC VECTORS OF TRANSFORMATION

The article provides a systematic analysis of the state's political vectors in the field of military education. Determining the strategic course of Ukraine towards full membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has become a priority task for the security and defense sector in the field of military education. It is proved that the activities of the military education system are regulated both by the normative documents on the basis of which the military education system directly functions and by the normative legal documents relating to the higher education system in general. Changes in the legislation and regulatory framework of higher education are systematized. The main state documents that facilitate the implementation of the best practices of NATO partner countries in the training of modern Ukrainian military personnel are identified. The main tasks of the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in Ukraine, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to intensify cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union in the field of higher education, which are necessary for reforming and modernizing the higher education system, promoting convergence in higher education within the framework of the Bologna Process, improving the quality and increasing the importance of higher education, deepening cooperation between higher education institutions, and enhancing the mobility of students, researchers, research and teaching staff are identified. The main provisions of the Policy of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in the field of military education and the Concept of Transformation of Military Education of Ukraine, which focus on the professionalization of military education, organization of continuous professional development, systematic study of national and international security trends, as well as changes in the principles and methods of armed struggle in the context of integration into the Euro-Atlantic security space, are analyzed. The significant role of the NATO DEEP-Ukraine program in the process of updating and optimizing the curricula of domestic military universities is determined.

THE INFLUENCE OF CONFLICTS ON THE STATE OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND WAYS OF REGULATING GEOPOLITICAL TENSION

The growth of geopolitical tension and conflicts in the modern world pose a serious threat to the international security system. It has been established that in recent years conflict at the international level has reached a critical level with the highest risk of nuclear confronta- tion based on the results of the conducted research. In this regard, issues of constructive reso- lution of international conflicts, establishment and maintenance of a stable structure of inter- national relations are gaining significant relevance. The purpose of the article is to determine the essence of conflicts with the study of their impact on the state of international security and to build an analytical basis for the formation of systemic decisions aimed at their settlement in the conditions of growing geopolitical tension. Analysis of conceptual approaches, theories and concepts of conflict research has been provided in the course of the research. Classifications and typologies of international conflicts are considered with an emphasis on the main structural elements of the conflict. The formation of an analytical system for supporting strategic decision-making has been proposed in order to solve issues related to the settlement of international conflicts and the ef- fective development of international relations. The proposed system combines four subsys- tems, namely: the subsystem of forming information databases, the subsystem of determining relationships, the subsystem of modelling and the subsystem of forming strategic decisions. The practical use of the proposed system will make it possible to form analytical infor- mation and determine the dominant factors of influence on the socio-economic state and the conflict situation. It is possible to determine the trends in the development of international con- flicts and to form strategies for their settlement and increase the efficiency of international re- lations, taking into account the long-term perspective on the basis of obtaining analytical in- formation.

The International Criminal Court and responsibility for mass atrocities: Can JCE enhance capacity to hold masterminds accountable?

ABSTRACT Mass atrocity crimes constitute a grave affront to international peace and security as well as to human rights. Due to their deep reach in society, they also constitute a very major social predicament. It is undignifying to allow perpetrators of these crimes to be left un-investigated or unpunished. This paper considers how behind the scenes high-ranking military and political indirect perpetrators of mass atrocity crimes should be adjudged guilty of collective criminal responsibility. One mode of collective criminal responsibility – Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE) – is hereby analysed. Considering the International Criminal Court’s praxis in rejecting certain approaches to JCE, we propose two amendments to the ICC’s Rome Statute, namely: incorporating JCE into Article 25(3)(a) to include acts through another person via JCE, and adding provisions to define elements of Article 25A to guide the Court’s interpretation. This will enable the ICC to apply JCE like the international ad hoc tribunals have done in the past, in the process enhancing the capacity to hold masterminds accountable and buttressing the causes of restorative and social justice in societies grappling with the effects of mass atrocities.

The EU as a Global Actor: The Significance of Changes in the World Order From 2004 to 2024 as Regards EU Actorness

Contrary to the prevalent focus on the EU’s capabilities, this article analyses the implications for the EU’s global actorness stemming from changes in the world order. These changes are elaborated upon according to Hettne’s (2005) three-dimensional analysis of the world order, namely, its structure, mode of governance, and form of legitimisation from 2004 when the CEE countries became EU members, to 20 years into their membership in 2024. The main changes of the world order are identified as: the evolving multipolar international system; a transition from multilateralism towards plurilateralism; and the sporadic unilateral actions and delegitimisation of liberal world order alongside instances of the major powers’ disregard of international law. The article then elucidates the impact of these changes on EU actorness via illustrative case studies of issues dealt within the UN system and the WTO, namely, international trade, sustainable development, climate change, and international peace and security. Findings show that firstly, in an evolving multipolar international system, the EU aligns strongly with the US which maintains central power in security issues. Secondly, all case studies prove that the EU remains committed to transparent multilateralism. Thirdly, despite instances of increasing state-level disrespect of international law by the US, Russia, and China, the EU’s resolve and advocacy for international norms remains stable. The EU has managed to leverage its economic and normative capabilities along with its positive presence to exert legitimate leadership in, for example, digital trade agenda, the green transition, and artificial intelligence, but not in enlargement policy. And yet, the war in Ukraine has prompted the Union to bolster its military capability and upgrade its geopolitical strategy towards its neighbours. The authors conclude that the potential development of the EU’s defensive security capability – provided it is developed complementary to its unique market and normative power – offers an opportunity for the EU to reduce its capabilities/expectations gap and enhance its global actorness.

SECURITY DIMENSION OF THE GLOBAL ISSUES

The article deals with current global issues of our time in their security dimension. An attempt has been made to outline the various directions of influence of global problems on the security architecture in today’s conditions. It was proposed to divide the global problems of our time into natural-ecological and socio-economic ones. At the same time, in our opinion, pandemics occupy an intermediate position between natural and anthropogenic problems. It has been argued that the modern economy is less vulnerable to natural disasters than it has been before, but natural disasters take more lives due to the high population density in the modern world. Human impact on the environment has been extremely destructive. Air pollution on a catastrophic scale is observed in large cities of the developing countries. Deforestation and desertification are making more and more areas uninhabitable. Global warming and climate change are seen not only in the rise in temperature, but also in the appearance of weather anomalies, the melting of glaciers, and the rise in the level of the World Ocean. The appearance of «climate migrants» has been explained to be one of the consequences of climate change. The combination of natural and social dimensions of global issues has been illustrated with the examples of conflicts over water. Socio-economic problems are mostly determined by the imperfection of society. This article has dealt with the demographic problem in different dimensions: in the Western countries there is a demographic crisis, and in the developing countries there is a demographic explosion, which has been shown using the example of Nigeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, etc. Poverty in these countries has an important impact on economic security. A large number of people do not have the basic necessities for life (food, safe water and sanitation, shelter, healthcare, etc.) and live in conditions of absolute poverty. In some countries, the literacy rate is still quite low. The globalisation of criminal activity also a danger. Some countries, such as Haiti, can fall under the control of criminal groups. Terrorism is a type of crime that deserves to be investigated separately for many reasons. All the listed problems are extremely urgent in the conditions of inefficient political management. Solving issues related to security and overcoming the consequences of global issues is possible only in the presence of an effectively functioning public administration system. But creating a good governance system is a difficult task under conditions of dictatorship or the absence of legitimate state power. The issue of supporting international security in all spheres is a topical problem in international politics. It has been underlined that joint efforts can help to overcome of the explored issues.

FROM REJECTION TO CONFRONTATION: A STUDY ON THE ONTOLOGICAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE OF POLAND’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

In the field of international security studies, attention to ontological security issues has become a focal point. Ontological security at the national level manifests as the dynamic harmony between“national super-ego” and “national Id”, representing a common product in the subject relations. Ontological security crisis is the result of the failure of “national ego” regulation. Positioned in the geopolitical periphery, Poland, over millennia, has developed a distinct“national super-ego” and a strong sense of identity. However, throughout its history, Poland has repeatedly faced ontological security challenges from Russia. For Poland, Russia has transformed from being the “other” to the “excluded”, ultimately becoming the “adversary” in Poland's ontological security. Since the “post-Cold War” era, Poland has endeavored to reshape its ontological security through internal and external measures. Ontological security provides a novel perspective for international relations research.

Trans-Border Arms' Trafficking and the Incidence of Armed Banditry in Katsina State, 2010-2021: Implications for Internal Security

Trans-Border Arms' Trafficking and the Incidence of Armed Banditry in Katsina State, 2010-2021: Implications for Internal Security

Exploring the endogenous structure and evolutionary mechanism of the global coal trade network

The uneven distribution of global coal supply and demand markets has driven coal trade. Effectively characterizing the global coal trade pattern and exploring its evolutionary mechanisms are important for economic development and international energy security. Therefore, this study adopts complex network methods to construct global coal trade network (GCTN) from 1995 to 2021. Based on exploring the overall, individual, and motif structural characteristics of the network, the temporal exponential random graph model is adopted to explore the impact mechanism of endogenous and exogenous variables on the evolution of the GCTN. The research findings demonstrate that (1) at the overall level, the network size, closeness, accessibility, and reciprocity of global coal trade exhibit an increasing trend; (2) at the motif level, aggregation and bilateral reciprocity are the primary trade patterns that affect the formation and evolution of the GCTN that is different from the steady-state structures of the four common super-families and possesses unique characteristics; (3) at the individual level, the United States and European economies possess a higher degree of diversification in coal trade, while Australia and emerging economies exhibit higher coal export trade volumes. The RCEP economies, represented by Japan and South Korea, possess a higher import share. Additionally, the Netherlands plays a “transit station” role in the network; (4) the formation and evolution of the GCTN are influenced by endogenous mechanisms. Reciprocity, transmission closure, and convergence effects have a significant promoting effect on network construction. Ignoring endogenous mechanisms can lead to significant bias in empirical results.

An energy efficient authentication scheme for cluster-based wireless IoT sensor networks

Wireless Internet of Things (IoT) sensor networks (WITSN) play a pivotal role in modern society, facilitating a myriad of applications ranging from smart homes to industrial automation. Therefore, safeguarding these networks against security threats is paramount to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data transmitted within them. However, WITSNs face escalating security threats due to their diverse structures and platforms. Existing literature has identified these vulnerabilities but lacks comprehensive solutions to address them effectively. To bridge this gap, this paper proposes a novel security approach termed Randomized Bi-Phase Authentication Scheme (RBAS), which integrates digital watermarking techniques to fortify both external and internal network security. RBAS not only tackles data availability, confidentiality, and authenticity challenges prevalent in WITSNs but also strives to maintain a delicate equilibrium between robust security measures and energy efficiency. Key contributions of this work include the meticulous examination and validation of the integration of cyclic redundancy check (CRC) codes in IoT sensor network authentication, demonstrating their efficacy in error detection through simulations. Furthermore, RBAS employs advanced hashing, cryptography, and dynamic verification codes to ensure strong error detection and data authenticity, leveraging robust CRC codes and randomization to thwart potential attacks. The scheme's complexity acts as a deterrent against manipulation, while its cluster awareness enhances adaptability, and cryptographic principles bolster overall security. Extensive performance evaluation using the Network Simulator-2 (NS2) reveals significant benefits of RBAS, including an 8 % reduction in power consumption and a 7 % increase in network longevity. Notably, RBAS surpasses existing solutions with a 14 % reduction in dropping ratio and an 8 % decrease in latency. The success of RBAS stems from its innovative utilization of lightweight watermarking techniques and cluster-based routing, enabling proactive identification of data tampering and thereby enhancing the network's overall security posture. This pioneering work not only advances the state of the art in WITSN security but also holds profound implications for the practical deployment of secure and efficient IoT sensor networks in real-world scenarios.

Domesticating the Global War on Terrorism in West Africa: Implications for Sub-Regional Security

Objective: The objective of this study is to the recent incidences of terror attacks in the West African sub-region that have only overwhelmed national governments concerned. Using the case studies of Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger, the paper interrogates the recent scourge of terrorism in these countries within the context of sub-regional security. Theoretical Framework: The structural conflict theory, which argues that conflict is built into the systems and structures of society, is employed in the work. This is based on the radical transformative agenda promoted by globalization and accentuated by the violent intra-state conflicts in Africa, especially following the restructuring of the international security architecture after the end of the Cold War in 1989. Method: The methodology adopted for this research utilizes the qualitative research design using the case study approach. Secondary data is engaged for this study, alongside thematic analysis for the harmonization of data. Results and Discussion: The study discovered that the activities of domestic terror groups is hinged on the unresolved rhetoric of globalization. The study concludes that until there are institutional measures to strengthen the fragile politico-economic structures hurriedly erected after prolonged dictatorships in the countries concerned, the solution to the threat of terrorism will remain a tantalizing mirage. It canvasses for the creation of a civil-military alliance in the war on terror, and the strengthening of democratic institutions to bring about good governance which will make states better equipped to curb terrorism. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the fields of national security, strategic studies and even institutional democracy. These implications could encompass the protection of lives and property within the state, protection of the state’s territorial integrity and the consolidation of democracy by state governments. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the fragilitiy of democracy in West African states as a consequence of prolonged terrorist attacks that are yet to be adequately catered to by civilian governments. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by it practical applicability across the fields of policy and strategic studies, and political science.

აუდიტის ბილიკის მნიშვნელობა ეკონომიკის სტაბილიზაციისათვის

Implementing innovative reforms in companies is crucial for the country's economic development and stabilization, which will lead to sustainable and high-speed growth of the economy. To improve the functional system of audit companies, based on sharing the best practices from foreign countries, attention is paid to the development of such a mechanism of improvement that ensures the optimization of management processes. It is important to remember that the earlier the gradual transformation begins, the higher are the chances of establishing a place in the progressive business world. Gradual transformation should start by ensuring its transparency. The types of audit trails that help improve internal control and data security are analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of audit trails are shown. Audit trails provide financial information essential to the smooth running of a business.

Representation of Sociocultural Processes Through Public Relations Tools

Communication capabilities have led to the emergence of new phenomena in mass culture: new methods of advertising, marketing, and public relations, the effects of which have determined the commercial success of companies and the formation of perceptions of their products and services. Mass communication’s informational and expressive power significantly impacts the reputation of certain individuals and political parties, making up the reputational potential of different regions and countries. The national consciousness formation is, of course, not the elimination of already formed concepts, opinions, and habits, but a change in their direction. Public relations maintains harmony between prominent figures of the era, lays the foundation for further development of the national economy, influences public consciousness and consumption, and guides and changes the human subconscious. Therefore, this topic is crucial for our society. The purpose of the article is to characterize the sociocultural processes with the help of public relations. Research methods. The study is based on some general theoretical methods, principles, and approaches. The following methods were used to achieve the goal and solve the research objectives: theoretical, in particular, generalization of theoretical data; comparison; synthesis – to determine the essence and mechanisms of the PR tool that has an impact on sociocultural processes. Scientific novelty. The novelty of this study is to clarify the concept of “public relations” and to highlight the use of public relations tools in the sociocultural sphere. PR is a dynamic development that affects the process of informing people and strengthening and adjusting different views on global issues. Therefore, there is a growing need for information exchange to improve mutual understanding and interaction between different groups of people in different regions and countries. In addition, the growth of mutual information and communication links in the international community necessitates strengthening international security and cooperation. The development of digital technologies facilitates the work of public relations professionals. New tools have emerged to process large amounts of data, facilitate professional life, and automate certain processes. One of the key features of progress in the field of public relations is the automation and sometimes the autonomization of work processes. Conclusions. The activities of public relations in the field of culture as intercultural mass communication are connected with globalization, in particular migration processes. When representatives of different faiths have a sufficient amount of self-organization in the social sphere, ethnic, religious, and intercultural exchanges will naturally take place. With the intensification of immigration processes and the emergence of new media, the need for comprehensive public relations work is becoming a reality, especially in cities where immigrants make up more than a third of the population.

The Impact of Contemporary International Wars on International Security - A Case Russia's War on Ukraine and Israel's War on Gaza

The conflict between states since the dawn of history is natural because of the existence of scruples and motives in the structure of human existence. The methods of this conflict evolve with the development of technologies, political systems and the nature of interests. Therefore, the wars directly and indirectly affect various aspects of life, especially peace and community security, regionally the internationally. This happens in particular in light of the globalization of the world and mutual relations and common interests, and the development in the means of communication and technology. Thus, distant parties suffer from the effects and consequences of wars and conflicts in other regions because relations and the need for waterways or economic aspects may be affected by conflict or wars. From here the international interest in the issue of security and peace from the countries arose. Especially the Security Council and the United Nations worked to prevent conflicts on the one hand, stop them or minimize their effects. Many conflicts and wars have erupted in the region, some of which have lasted for years, and others return in each period to arise under what justification. Many wars affected in another way on energy sources, and on the national security of countries and the interests of countries, but some countries have ambitions, strategies and rules, and this study. It deals with examples of wars that posed a threat and caused effects on the international security system, which is the Russian war - Ukrainian, and the Israeli war on Gaza in 2023. This study seeks to show the impact of contemporary wars on international security, societal stability, the development process and building a global peace and security and identifying motives and effects and ways to address them.

Neuromodulation of safety and surprise in the early stages of infant development: affective homeostatic regulation in bodily and mental functions.

Developing a sense of internal safety and security depends mainly on others: numerous neuromodulators play a significant role in the homeostatic process, regulating the importance of proximity to a caregiver and experiencing feelings that enable us to regulate our interdependence with our conspecifics since birth. This array of neurofunctional structures have been called the SEPARATION DISTRESS system (now more commonly known as the PANIC/ GRIEF system). This emotional system is mainly involved in the production of depressive symptoms. The disruption of this essential emotional balance leads to the onset of feelings of panic followed by depression. We will focus on the neuropeptides that play a crucial role in social approach behavior in mammals, which enhance prosocial behavior and facilitate the consolidation of social bonds. We propose that most prosocial behaviors are regulated through the specific neuromodulators acting on salient intersubjective stimuli, reflecting an increased sense of inner confidence (safety) in social relationships. This review considers the neurofunctional link between the feelings that may ultimately be at the base of a sense of inner safety and the central neuromodulatory systems. This link may shed light on the clinical implications for the development of early mother-infant bonding and the depressive clinical consequences when this bond is disrupted, such as in post-partum depression, depressive feelings connected to, addiction, neurofunctional disorders, and psychological trauma.

The Interpretation and Development of International Human Rights Law by the International Court of Justice

本文采用制度主义研究路径，分析了国际法院在国际裁判和执行人权方面的作用，以及它在阐释和发展基本人权规则和原则方面的贡献。国际法院是联合国主要机关之一，也是其主要的司法机关，在国际裁判机制中享有重中之重的特殊地位。国际法院对阐释和发展人权法的贡献可以从三个角度来看：第一，在程序角度，它进一步推动了人权的可诉性。第二，在实体角度，它不仅分析了非殖民化背景下的民族自决权问题和一些公约项下的人权保护范围，还处理了人权公约义务的领土范围问题、国家责任归属问题以及国际不法行为的赔偿问题，为国家、国际组织及其机构、其他法律实体甚至个人制定了行为标准。第三，在制度角度，它确保了联合国人权问题报告员的独立性和不可侵犯性，对联合国大会和安全理事会在维护国际和平与安全方面的职能作出建设性的阐释，并对其遵守国际人权义务的情况进行监督。然而，一些案件体现出国际法院在审理人权案件时存在的管辖权漏洞和其他障碍，它对国际法中某些有争议的问题持谨慎立场。这意味着国际法院有时在实施人权保护方面可能施加的影响有限。 This article uses an institutional approach when discussing the role of the ICJ within the context of international adjudication and enforcement of human rights, as well as its contribution to the interpretation and development of key human rights rules and principles. As one of the main UN organs and its principal judicial organ, the ICJ enjoys a somewhat special position as first among equals. The Court’s contribution to the interpretation and development of human rights can be seen from three aspects. Firstly, from the procedural aspect, the Court furthered the justiciability of human rights. Secondly, from the substantial aspect, the Court has dealt not only with the right to self-determination within the decolonisation context and the scope of human rights protection under the convention, but also with the territorial scope of human rights treaties’ obligations, aspects of attribution of State responsibility and issues concerning reparations for internationally wrongful acts, which lays down standards of conduct for States, international organisations and their organs, other legal entities and even individuals. Thirdly, from the institutional aspect, the ICJ ensures the independence and inviolability of UN human rights rapporteurs, the constructive interpretation of the functions of the General Assembly and the Security Council in matters of international peace and security and their monitoring of compliance with international human rights obligations. However, several cases have highlighted the jurisdictional gaps and other obstacles to litigating human rights cases before the Court. These cases have also highlighted the Court’s guarded position on certain controversial issues under international law. It shows that the limitations to the Court’s potential impact on the enforcement of fundamental human rights.