Chapter-12 International Law — Online MCQ Test
LEGAL STUDIES · Grade 12 · CBSE(NCERT)
Practice Chapter-12 International Law with a free chapter-wise online MCQ test.
This chapter covers: international law - ICJ - sources of international law - international institutions - human rights law.
AI-generated questions from basic to board-exam level, with instant results and explanations.
Chapter-12 International Law — Important Questions & Answers
What is the primary function of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?
- A. To enforce military sanctions against nations
- B. To settle disputes between countries and give advisory opinions on international legal questions
- C. To create new international laws binding all nations
- D. To administer criminal justice for individual war criminals
Answer: B. To settle disputes between countries and give advisory opinions on international legal questions
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, established to settle legal disputes between states and provide advisory opinions on legal matters referred by UN organs.
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, established to settle legal disputes between states and provide advisory opinions on legal matters referred by UN organs.
Which of the following is NOT a source of international law according to the Statute of the ICJ?
- A. International conventions and treaties
- B. General principles of law recognized by civilized nations
- C. Individual national constitutions of powerful nations
- D. International customs as evidence of a general practice accepted as law
Answer: C. Individual national constitutions of powerful nations
Article 38 of the ICJ Statute lists international conventions, customs, general principles of law, and judicial decisions as sources of international law. Individual national constitutions are not recognized as a source of international law.
Article 38 of the ICJ Statute lists international conventions, customs, general principles of law, and judicial decisions as sources of international law. Individual national constitutions are not recognized as a source of international law.
Which international institution is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security?
- A. International Court of Justice
- B. United Nations Security Council
- C. World Health Organization
- D. International Labour Organization
Answer: B. United Nations Security Council
The UN Security Council is the primary UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security and can authorize military action or impose sanctions.
The UN Security Council is the primary UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security and can authorize military action or impose sanctions.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in which year?
- A. 1945
- B. 1948
- C. 1950
- D. 1966
Answer: B. 1948
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, establishing fundamental human rights for all people.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, establishing fundamental human rights for all people.
What is the significance of the doctrine of 'pacta sunt servanda' in international law?
- A. It allows states to unilaterally withdraw from treaties
- B. It establishes that treaties must be observed and honored by the parties who agreed to them
- C. It permits the use of force in settling international disputes
- D. It eliminates the need for written international agreements
Answer: B. It establishes that treaties must be observed and honored by the parties who agreed to them
'Pacta sunt servanda' (treaties must be honored) is a fundamental principle of international law, establishing that states are legally bound to fulfill their treaty obligations.
'Pacta sunt servanda' (treaties must be honored) is a fundamental principle of international law, establishing that states are legally bound to fulfill their treaty obligations.
A state refuses to comply with an International Court of Justice judgment. What enforcement mechanism is available?
- A. The ICJ can directly use military force against the state
- B. The case can be referred to the UN Security Council for enforcement action
- C. Individual citizens can file lawsuits against the state
- D. Automatic sanctions are imposed by the International Court of Justice
Answer: B. The case can be referred to the UN Security Council for enforcement action
According to Article 94 of the UN Charter, if a state fails to comply with an ICJ judgment, the matter may be referred to the UN Security Council which can authorize enforcement measures.
According to Article 94 of the UN Charter, if a state fails to comply with an ICJ judgment, the matter may be referred to the UN Security Council which can authorize enforcement measures.
How do sources of international law differ from sources of domestic law?
- A. International law has more sources than domestic law
- B. International law sources include treaties, customs, and general principles, while domestic law is primarily based on legislative enactments and case law
- C. Domestic law is binding while international law is merely advisory
- D. International law comes only from treaties while domestic law comes only from legislatures
Answer: B. International law sources include treaties, customs, and general principles, while domestic law is primarily based on legislative enactments and case law
International law derives from treaties, customary practices accepted as legal, general principles of law recognized by nations, and judicial decisions; domestic law primarily from legislation and court precedents.
International law derives from treaties, customary practices accepted as legal, general principles of law recognized by nations, and judicial decisions; domestic law primarily from legislation and court precedents.
Analyze the statement: 'International law is less effective than domestic law because it lacks a central enforcement authority.' Which argument best counters this?
- A. International law doesn't need enforcement because states always comply voluntarily
- B. States generally comply with international law due to reciprocity, reputation, and mechanisms like UN Security Council sanctions, and violation damages state relations
- C. International law is only for peaceful dispute resolution, not enforcement
- D. Domestic law is also ineffective without enforcement
Answer: B. States generally comply with international law due to reciprocity, reputation, and mechanisms like UN Security Council sanctions, and violation damages state relations
While international law lacks a centralized enforcement body like domestic police, compliance is achieved through reciprocal interests, reputational concerns, economic consequences, and collective UN action.
While international law lacks a centralized enforcement body like domestic police, compliance is achieved through reciprocal interests, reputational concerns, economic consequences, and collective UN action.
Critically evaluate this statement: 'The International Court of Justice has failed because many of its judgments are ignored.' Is this conclusion justified?
- A. Yes, because all ICJ judgments should be automatically enforced
- B. Partially; while compliance rates are relatively high and non-compliance is rare, the lack of direct enforcement power is a structural limitation rather than complete failure
- C. No, because the ICJ never fails
- D. Yes, and therefore international law is completely ineffective
Answer: B. Partially; while compliance rates are relatively high and non-compliance is rare, the lack of direct enforcement power is a structural limitation rather than complete failure
While not all ICJ judgments are obeyed, compliance is generally high. Non-compliance stems from structural limitations (lack of enforcement power) rather than the ICJ's failure; alternative mechanisms like UN Security Council referral exist.
While not all ICJ judgments are obeyed, compliance is generally high. Non-compliance stems from structural limitations (lack of enforcement power) rather than the ICJ's failure; alternative mechanisms like UN Security Council referral exist.
A state signs but doesn't ratify the Rome Statute (ICC statute), then years later its officials commit war crimes. A third country citizens are victims. Analyze the practical and legal complexities of prosecution:
- A. The ICC has automatic jurisdiction and can prosecute immediately
- B. The non-signatory state's officials cannot be prosecuted; only the UN Security Council can refer cases of non-parties, and universal jurisdiction by other nations may apply
- C. International law is meaningless in this scenario
- D. Only the state itself can prosecute its own officials
Answer: B. The non-signatory state's officials cannot be prosecuted; only the UN Security Council can refer cases of non-parties, and universal jurisdiction by other nations may apply
The ICC lacks jurisdiction over non-states parties unless the UN Security Council refers the situation (Article 13 of Rome Statute). Alternative options include UN Security Council referral, universal jurisdiction by third states, or domestic prosecution.
The ICC lacks jurisdiction over non-states parties unless the UN Security Council refers the situation (Article 13 of Rome Statute). Alternative options include UN Security Council referral, universal jurisdiction by third states, or domestic prosecution.