Retrieving Neutrality Law to Consider ‘Other’ Foreign Fighters Under International Law

29 Pages Posted: 2 Oct 2017

See all articles by Marnie Lloydd

Marnie Lloydd

University of Melbourne, Law School

Date Written: September 29, 2017

Abstract

Since the early twentieth century, scholarship has debated the continued relevance of neutrality law in an international system based on collective security. This paper contributes to continued thinking about the notion of neutrality, by considering what questions may be opened up when neutrality law’s rules on private foreign enlistment are examined alongside contemporary practice in response to the phenomenon of foreign fighters. Specifically, this paper retrieves earlier contesting views surrounding the departure of foreign volunteers to armed conflict under traditional neutrality law, and suggests how and why these debates can be of contemporary interest to a consideration of law and policy regulating foreign incursion and various kinds of foreign fighters today. Australia’s legislative response to foreign incursion by those within its jurisdiction, and its recently enacted “declared area offence” relating to parts of Syria and Iraq, provide one illustrative example.

Keywords: International law; neutrality; non-intervention; armed conflict; history; foreign fighters; foreign incursion; terrorism; Australia.

Suggested Citation

Lloydd, Marnie, Retrieving Neutrality Law to Consider ‘Other’ Foreign Fighters Under International Law (September 29, 2017). European Society of International Law (ESIL) 2017 Research Forum (Granada) , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3045274 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3045274

Marnie Lloydd (Contact Author)

University of Melbourne, Law School ( email )

University Square
185 Pelham Street, Carlton
Victoria, Victoria
Australia

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