The scope of international law is fully extended to independent states. International law began as a system governing the relations among sovereign states and states have always been the primary legal entities affected by international law. As the global system has become more complex, however, international law has come to recognize and regulate international organizations, businesses, nonprofit entities, and individuals. The emergence of international human rights law and, more recently, international criminal law reflects the fact that individuals today are direct subjects of international law in certain respects.
Scope of International Law but following points will elaborate the scope of international law.
Regulation of State Interrelations
Its direct subjects are states. When the civilized states came into living, their interrelation was natural. A mutual understanding and negotiations became necessary. They framed rules, treaties and agreements to regulate their relations and these appeared in the form of law. One important example is a post war in the 13th BC among the kings of Rome, Egypt and Syria, which is still a historical and archeological asset on a silver board. In the present complex world, it impossible for a state to remain survive or developed without interrelations. So, conflicts and differences are natural in these interstate relations. Rules and regulations are required to avoid these collides. It is international law, which like customs appeared to solve these problems. With the passage of time customs developed into usages and finally into laws. In the same way international law is on the way of its codification and development. It has existence and practically regulates relations among the states. International law is mainly to deal with asylum, extradition, neutrality, blockade, high seas, air space, contraband, diplomatic relations and their immunities, settlement of international disputes and kinds of states etc.
Interrelations Among Organizations, their Relations with States and Individuals
There are various international and regional organizations made by the states especially for common defence like NATO, ASEAN; for common economic uplift like ECO; for cooperation like SAARC; for solving common problems and unity like OIC, OAU etc. Issues and problems may rise from the functions of these organizations. It is often international law to deal with the problems of these organizations. As its definition says ”The rules and principles regulating the functions and interrelations of international organizations or institutions and their relations with states and individuals.” International law is the only way to deal with these affairs effectively.
To Deal Issues of Non-State Entities and Individuals
International law is also partially defined as, “The rules of law relating to individuals and non-state entities so far as these are concerned to international community.” As already explained that the appearance of international human rights law and international criminal law show that individuals today are direct subject of international law. For example, it is to deal with nationality and rights and duties of the individuals.
