JJUSTICE DIPAK

USTICE D MISHRA
IPAK M ISHRA IINTERNATIONAL MOOT
NTERNATIONAL M COURT
OOT C COMPETITION
OURT C OMPETITION,, 2(11)
2(11) OF 2021
OF 2021
(organised by Geeta Institute of Law, Panipat, Delhi NCR)

TEAM CODE: TC-15

IN THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

AT PEACE PALACE
THE HAGUE

QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
(UNDER ART. 65 AND ART. 66 OF THE STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE)

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ORGANISATION AND ORS. …APPLICANTS

v.

COMMUNIST REPUBLIC OF MANDARIN …RESPONDENT

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BEFORE THE HON’BLE JUDGES IN THE

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

MEMORANDUM ON BEHALF OF APPLICANTS

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JUSTICE DIPAK MISHRA INTERNATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2(11) OF 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ................................................................................................. III

• LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................. VIII
• ....QUESTIONS PRESENTED. .............................................................................................. X
• STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION. ....................................................................................... X
• ISTATEMENT OF FACTS. ...................................................................................................XI
• SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS ..........................................................................................XII
• ARGUMENTS ADVANCED. ................................................................................................. 1
I. That the conduct of communist republic of mandarin in informing the international
health organization about the pandemic is in violation of article 6 & 7 of international
health regulations 2005........................................................................................................ 1
A. Mandarin has failed to abide by the International Health Regulations 2005 ................ 1
1. That there was wrongful conduct through misreporting of facts by Mandarin. ..... ……1
2. Mandarin has acknowledged the application of provisions of IHR in its territory by
virtue of Article 2 & 4. ................................................................................................. 4
3. Mandarin has breached IHR regulations under Article 6 &7..................................4
B. Conduct of Mandarin is in contravention with general principles of international law. . 5
1. The conduct of Mandarin stands in contravention to Article 63 & 64 of IHO
Constitution. ................................................................................................................. 6
2. Mandarin is liable under the Responsibility of states for Internationally Wrongful
Acts, 2001 .....................................................................................................................6
II. That the Republic of Mandarin is liable under ‘transboundary harm’ principle because
of its economic policies and laws regulating wet markets in Mandarin. ............................. 9
A. That the conduct of Mandarin has satisfied the essential ingredients of Transboundary
Harm Principle of the Draft Articles. ................................................................................ 9
1. The harm was a result of human activity not prohibited by international law. ...... 10
B. That Mandarin violated its obligation to prevent transboundary harm of COVID-19
through lack of due diligence under Articles 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Draft Articles ......... 12
1. That Mandarin has violated Article 3, 9 and 10 of the Draft Articles .....................12
2. That Mandarin has violated Article 7 and 8 of the Draft Articles ...........................14
3. That Mandarin is liable to pay damages to the affected States for the spread of
COVID-19. ................................................................................................................... 16
Prayer............................................................................................................................ XIII

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INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

ICJ Judgements and Arbitral Tribunal Decisions

Advisory Opinion on Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons 1996 I.C.J. 254, (July 8).... 12
Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Congo v. Uganda) 2003 I.C.J. 3 (Jan.29).…………10
Case Concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide (Bosnia-Herzegovina v. Yugoslavia), I.C.J. Reports 1996, pg. 595 (July 11). ………….10
Case concerning construction of a Road in Costa Rica along the San Juan River (Nicaragua v. Costa
Rica), Judgment, I.C.J Reports (2015) 1. …………………………………………………………..14
Chorzow Factory Case (Germany v. Pol.) 1928 P.C.I.J. 47 (ser. A) N° 17 (Sept. 13) . ………………10
Chorzów factory, Merits, 1928 P.C.I.J (ser. A) No. 13 (Dec. 16)……………………………………..10
Corfu Channel Case (U.K. v. Alb.), 1949 I.C.J. 4, 22…………………………………………………17
Corfu Channel Case (U.K. v. Albania); Assessment of Compensation, 15 XII 49, I.C.J., (1949).……17
Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations (Greece.v.Turk.), Advisory
Opinion,.1925.P.C.I.J.,.Ser.B, No.10.……………………………………………………………….16
Factory at Chorzòw (Ger. v. Pol.), 1926 P.C.I.J. (ser. A) No. 7, pg 44 (May 25)……………………..09
Factory at Chorzòw (Ger. v. Pol.), Jurisdiction, 1927 P.C.I.J. (ser. A) No. 9 (July 26.……………….10
Gabčikovo-Nagymaros Project, (Hungary v. Slovakia), Judgment, (1997) I.C.J. Rep 7, pp. 77– 78, ¶
140 .................................................................................................................................................... 05
Interpretation of Peace Treaties with Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, Second Phase, Advisory
Opinion, I.C.J. Reports 1950, p. 228................................................................................................ 07
Island of Palmas case (U.S. v. Netherlands) 2 U.N. Rep. Int’l Arb. Awards 829 (Perm. Ct. Arb 1928)06
LaGrand Case, (Germany v. U.S.) 2001 I.C.J. Rep. pg. [Forthcoming], General List No. 104 (June 27)
................................................................................................................................................................10
Rainbow Warrior (N.Z. v. Fr.), 20 R.I.A.A. 215, pg 110 (1990)………………………………….......10
Rainbow Warrior affair, UNRIAA, vol. XX (Sales No. E/F.93.V.3), p. 215 (1990)………………….07
Rainbow Warrior Case (NZ v. Fr.) Reports of International Arbitral Award, 20 , pg.215-284……….08
Salvador Commercial Company case, (U.S. v. Repb. of Salv.), In U.S. Department of States, Papers
Relating to the Foreign Relation of the United States, (1903) 859-73……………………………….08
Trail Smelter Arbritral (U.S.v. Can.), Arb Trib., 3 U.N. Rep. Int’l Arb. Awards 1905 (1941)………..14
United States Diplomatic and Consular Staff in Tehran (U.S. v. Iran) 1980 ICJ Rep.3……………….09
Youmans cliam (United States Mexico Claims Tribunal) UNRIAA, 4, pg. 110 (1916), at pg. 116 .... .08

United Nations and Other Documents

Amid Threat of Catastrophic Global Famine, COVID-19 Response Must Prioritize Food Security,
Humanitarian Needs, Experts Tell General Assembly, THIRTY-FIRST SPECIAL SESSION,
2NDMEETING,UNITED NATIONS [UN](Dec. 4, 2020),
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/ga12294.doc.htm.........................................................................05
ChinthakaMendis, Sovereignty vs. trans-boundary environmental harm: The evolving International
law obligations and the Sethusamuduram Ship Channel Project, UNITED NATIONS, NIPPON
FOUNDATION, (2006),
https://www.un.org/depts/los/nippon/unnff_programme_home/fellows_pages/fellows_papers/mend
is_0607_sri_lanka.pdf. ..................................................................................................................... 17
COUNTRIES, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION [WHO], (Apr. 20, 2020),
https://www.who.int/countries. ........................................................................................................ .16

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Fighting COVOD-19 China in Action,THE STATE COUNCIL INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE’S
REPUBLIC OF CHINA,http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/07/c_139120424.htm (2020).05
I.L.C. Draft Articles on Prevention of Transboundary Harm from Hazardous Activities, art. 1, UN
Doc. A/RES/56/82, 56 UN GAOR Supp (No. 49) at 498, Supp. (No. 10) A/56/10 (V.E.1) (2001)...06
I.L.C., Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, GA U.N. Doc.
A/56/10 (2001)………………………………………………………………………………………..06
Interim Guidance, Reducing public health risks associated with the sale of live wild animals of
mammalian species in traditional food markets, World Health Organisation [WHO], (Apr. 12,
2021), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Food-safety-traditional-markets-
2021.1 ............................................................................................................................................... ...13
International Health Regulations (2005), 3rd ed. GENEVA: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION [WHO]
(2008), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241580496...................................................01
Org. for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD], OECD Policy Responses to COVID-19:
COVID-19 and International Trade- Issues and Action, at 2, https://read.oecd-
ilibrary.org/view/?ref=128_128542-3ijg8kfswh&title=COVID-19-and-international-trade-issues-
and-actions (Jun. 12, 2020) ............................................................................................................... 12
OSCAR SCHACHTER, INTERNATIONAL LAW IN THEORY AND PRACTICE 336 (Springer 1991) ............. ...10
Pnuemonia of unknown cause – China, WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION [WHO], (Jan 5, 2020),
https://www.who.int/csr/don/05-january-2020-pneumonia-of-unkown-cause-china/en/..................04
Report of International Arbitral Awards, Alabama claims of the United States of America against
Great Britain., https://legal.un.org/riaa/cases/vol_XXIX/125-134.pdf ............................................. 13
Report of the International Law Commission on the Work of its Fifty-Third Session, 152, U.N. Doc.
A/56/10 (2004) .................................................................................................................................. 12
Report of the International Law Commission to the General Assembly on the Work of its Eighteenth
Session, Int’l Law Commission Y.B., Vol. 2, part II, principle 4(1), (1966), U.N. Doc.
A/CN.4/SER.A/1966/Add.1 .............................................................................................................. …17
Report of the Special Rapporteur onInternational Responsibility Report, I.L.C. DOCUMENT
A/CN.4/106, (1956)........................................................................................................................... 12
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Principle 15, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.151/5/Rev.1
(16 June, 1992) .................................................................................................................................. 14
Scientific Brief, Modes of Transmission of Virus Causing COVID-19: Implications for IPC
Precaution Recommendations, WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION [WHO] (2020),
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/modes-of-transmission-of-virus-causing-
covid-19-implications-for-ipc-precaution-recommendations ........................................................... 12
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Dashboard, WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION [WHO],
https://www.who.int/health-topics/severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome#tab=tab_1.......................... 13
Statement, Listings of WHO’s Response to COVID-19, WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION[WHO], (Jun.
29, 2020), https://www.who.int/news/item/29-06-2020-covidtimeline ............................................ 12
STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE art. 50, June 26, 1945...................................... 09
Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment, Prin. 21 &22, U.N.
Doc.A/CONF.48/14/Rev(1973) ........................................................................................................ 17
United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime[UNODC], World Wildlife Crime Report 2020,
https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-
analysis/wildlife/2020/World_Wildlife_Report_2020_9July.pdf (2020) ......................................... 16
WHO CONST. art. 22 ............................................................................................................................. 01
WHO CONST. art. 63…………………………………………………………………………………..07
WHO CONST. art. 64…………………………………………………………………………………..07
WHO CONST. art. 1……………………………………………………………………………………06
WHO Coronavirus (Covid 19) dashboard, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION [WHO], (April 2020),
https://covid19.who.int/.....................................................................................................................03

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WHO: Coronavirus (Covid 19) Dashboard, WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION [WHO], (Mar. 31,
2021),https://covid19.who.int/ .......................................................................................................... 12
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CONSTI. art.1……………………………………………………….01

Books
ARIE TROUWBORST, PRECAUTIONARY RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF STATES, 25, (Brill, 2006) ................. 12
D. FREESTONE AND E. HEY, THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE
CHALLENGE OF IMPLEMENTATION (The Hague, Kluwer, 1996)....................................................... 15
HAROLD HOHMANN, PRECAUTIONARY LEGAL DUTIES AND PRINCIPLES OF MODERN
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, 342-44, (Springer, 1994) ................................................ 12
J. CAMERON, THE STATUS OF THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW,
INTERPRETING THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE, T. O’Riordan and J. Cameron, eds. (London,
Earthscan, 1994), pg. 262–289 .......................................................................................................... 15
OPPENHEIM, INTERNATIONAL LAW, at 220, (Oxford University Press, 1912) ..................................... 17
SCHRIJVER &NICOLAAS JAN, SOVEREIGNTY OVER NATURAL RESOURCES:BALANCINFRIGHTS AND
DUTIES IN AN INDEPENDENT WORLD, 233, (Cambridge University Press, 1997) ............................ 17
ALEXENDRE KISS & DINAH SHELTON, GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW,
(MartinusNijhoff Publishers, 2007) .................................................................................................. 16
XUEHANQIN. TRANSBOUNDARY DAMAGE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW, CAMBRIDGE STUDIES IN
INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW 14 (Cambridge Univers1ity Press, 2003) ..................... 10

Journal Articles
A. ALONSO AGUIRRE ET AL.,Illicit Wildlife Trade, Wet Markets, and COVID‐19: Preventing Future
Pandemics, WORLD MED HEALTH POLICY (2020) ........................................................................... 11
Allott, State Responsibility and the Unmaking of International Law, 29 HARV.INT'L.L.J. 1 (1988)….07
Bodansky& Crook, Introduction and Overview, 96 AM. J. INT'L L.773 (2002)………………………07
Chaolin Huang et al., Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan,
China, 395 THELANCET, 497-506 (2020)…………………………………………………………..08
Combacau&Alland, "Primary" and "Secondary Rules in the Law of State Responsibility:
Categorizing InternationalObligations, 16 NETH.Y.B.INT'L.L. 81 (1985) ....................................... 12
COVID-19 Transmission- Up In Air, 8 THE LANCET 1159 (Oct. 29, 2020),
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30514-2...............................................................................12
Crawford, Revising the Draft Articles on State Responsibility, 10 EUR.J.INT'L.L. 435 (1999)………..07
David P Fidler, The Covid 19 pandemic, Geopolitics and International Law, J. INT. HUMANIT. LEG.
STUD., 237-248 (2020)……………………………………………………………………………..06
Heng Li et al,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): current status and future perspectives, 55 INT J
ANTIMICROB AGENTS, (May 2020), https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/02/01/early-
missteps-state-secrecy-china-likely-allowed-coronavirus-spread-farther-faster/…………………..02
I.L.C., Draft Declaration on Rights and Duties of States, 56 Y.B. INT'L L. COMM'N 178 (1949), art. 12
.........................................................................................................................................................08
Jeremy Page, How it all started: China’s early Coronavirus missteps, WALL STREET JOURNAL, (Apr.
17, 2020), https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-it-all-started-chinas-early-coronavirus-missteps-
11583508932......................................................................................................................................02
Jing bao Nie& Carl Elliott, Humiliating Whistle-Blowers: Li Wenliang, the Response to Covid-19, and
the Call for a Decent Society, 17 J BIOETH INQ. 543-547 (2020)…………………………………..03

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Li Li Ren et al., Identification of a novel coronavirus causing severe pneumonia in human: a

descriptive study, 133 CHIN MED J, 1015-1024 (2020)…………………………………………….02
Md. Tanveer Adilet al., SARS- COV-2 and the pandemic of COVID 19, 97 POSTGRAD. MED. J.
(2021)……………………………………………………………………………………………….01
Qun Li et al., Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel Coronavirus– Infected
Pneumonia, 382 N ENGL J MED, 1199-1207 (2020)……………………………………………….02
R. Buchan, Cyberspace, Non-State Actors and the Obligation to Prevent Transboundary Harm. J.
CONFL. SECUR. LAW, 21(3), 429–453, (2016) .................................................................................. 10
R.G. Webster, Wet markets—a continuing source of severe acute respiratory syndrome and
influenza?, 363, LANCET, 234-236, (2004), https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30514-2 ........ 11
Taisheng Li et al., Clinical observations and management of Covid 19 patients, 9 EMERGE MICROBES
INFECT, 687-690 (2020)…………………………………………………………………………….03
Talha Burki, The Origin of SARS-COV-2, 20 THE LANCET 1018 (2020) ............................................. 14
Timothy W. Russell et al., Effect of Internationally Imported Cases on Internal Spread of COVID-19:
A Mathematical Modelling Study, 6 THE LANCET 12, 1 (Jan. 2021) ................................................ 12

Treatises and Conventions

Convention for the Protection of the Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific
Region;26 ILM 38 (1987) ................................................................................................................. 16
Asean Agreement On The Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources”, In: International Law &
World Order: WESTON'S & CARLSON'SBASIC DOCUMENTS, WESTON & CARLSON, (20 April
2021),<http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2211-4394_rwilwo_sim_032739 ................................................. 16
Convention on the Law of the Sea, art. 56, 1982, 1833 U.N.T.S. 397 .................................................. 12
Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities, 4780, 402 U.N.T.S. 71, art. 4
.......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Kuwait Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from
Pollution, 1140 U.N.T.S. 33, 17 I.L.M. 511 (1978)art. XI ................................................................ 16
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, (1992) 45 Law and State 68, art. 8. .... 16
Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden;
IUCN (ID: TRE-000743), V.C.6 ....................................................................................................... 16
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, art. 205, 206 Dec. 10, 1982, 1833 U.N.T.S. 397 . 27
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 23 May, 1969, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331 .................................. 16

News Reports
Charlie Campbell & Amy Gunia, China says it’s beating Coronavirus. But can we believe its
numbers?,TIME, (Apr. 1, 2020)……………………………………………………………………03
China publishes tieline on Covid 19 international sharing, int’l cooperation, XINHUA, (Apr. 13,
2021), http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/06/c_138951662.htm......................................04
George Cooper, Chinese state censorship of Covid 19 represents a looming crises for academic
publishers, LSE BLOGS, (Apr. 14, 2021),
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2020/04/24/chinese-state-censorship-of-covid-19-
research-represents-a-looming-crisis-for-academic-publishers/…………………………………..03
Gerry Shih et al., early missteps and state secrecy in china probably allowed the coronavirus to
spread farther and faster,THE WASHINGTON POST, Feb. 1, 2020,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/02/01/early-missteps-state-secrecy-china-likely-
allowed-coronavirus-spread-farther-faster/………………………………………………………..02

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Javier C. Harnandez& James Gorman, On W.H.O. Trip, China Refused to Hand Over Important Data,
N.Y. TIMES, (Feb. 13, 2021, 3: 48 P.M.),https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/world/asia/china-
world-health-organization-coronavirus.html……………………………………………………….03
Reuters staff, Timeline: China and World Health Organization during COVID-19 crisis,
REUTERS,(Apr. 13, 2021, 10:19 A.M.), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-
china-timeline-idUSKBN29I0FR…………………………………………………………………..03
Shengjie La et al., Effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions for containing the COVID-19 outbreak
in China,MEXRXIV: THE PRE-PRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES, (Apr. 14, 2020 12:30 P.M.).
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.03.20029843v3................................................09
Statement by the Chinese Government: "International Health Regulations" apply to the entire
territory of China, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PORTAL, XINHUA, (May 14, 2007),
http://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2007-05/14/content_ 614312.htm…………………………………………05
Wang Chen & Jiang Yifan, The Legal Proposals Shaping the Future of Wildlife in China, CHINA
DIALOGUE (Apr. 3, 2020), https://perma.cc/BHT6-QT7V................................................................ 11

National Legislation
Animal Epidemic Prevention Law (adopted by the NPCSC on July 3, 1997, last amended Apr. 24,
2015) art. 20, https://perma.cc/69SM-V2NX (China) ....................................................................... 11
Wildlife Protection Law (adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
(NPCSC) on Nov. 8, 1988, last amended Oct. 26, 2018), https://perma.cc/Q7BS-3HAZ (China) ... 11

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JUSTICE DIPAK MISHRA INTERNATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2(11) OF 2021

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ABBREVIATIONS EXPANSIONS
& And

¶ Paragraph

Alb. Albania

Arb. Arbitral

Art. Article

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Cambridge L.J. Cambridge Law Journal

Chin Med J (ENGL) Chinese Medical Journal

Const. Constitution

Doc. Document

ed. Edition

Emerg Microbes Infect Emerging Microbes & Infections

et al and others

Eur. J. Int'l. L European Journal of International Law

Harv. Int'l. L. J Harvard International Law Journal

Hon’ble Honourable

ICJ International Court of Justice

Id. The same

i.e. In essence

IHO International Health Organization

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IHR International Health Regulations

I.L.C International Law Commission

Int’l International

Lancet The Lancet

L.R. Law Report

Ltd. Limited

N Engl J Med New England Journal of Medicine

Neth. Y. B. Int'l. L. Netherlands Yearbook of International Law

No. Number

P.C.I.J Permanent Court of International Justice

PM Post meridiem

Pol. Poland

Rep Report

Repb. Republic

Res. Resolution

Sec. Section

U.K. United Kingdom

U.S.A. United States of America

U.N. United Nations

U.N.T.S. United Nations Treaty Series

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

v. Versus

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QUESTIONS PRESENTED

QUESTION 1

Whether Communist Republic of Mandarin is liable for violation of Articles 6 and 7

of International Health Regulations.

QUESTION 2

Whether Republic of Mandarin is liable under ‘transboundary harm’ principle because

of its economic policies and laws regulating wet markets in Mandarin.

STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION

The International Health Organization humbly submits the present controversy to International

Court of Justice [hereinafter, “ICJ”], pursuant to Article 65 of the ICJ statute which states that,

“The Court may give an advisory opinion on any legal question at the request of whatever body

may be authorized by or in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations to make such a

request”.

The parties shall be furnishing information in accordance with Article 66 of the Statute of the

Court. The International Health Organization requests this Hon’ble Court to issue a decision in

accordance with the rules and principles of international law.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS

BACKGROUND
COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a newly discovered form of virus.
The first case of COVID-19 was identified in China. COVID-19 has now spread across more
than 200 countries affecting more than 1,400,000 people and killing thousands.

TIMELINE OF THE KEY EVENTS

Date Events
31st December Mandarin reports the outbreak to the International Health Organization [hereinafter,
2019 “IHO”]. Public Notice by Wuhan authorities describes a new flu outbreak with 27
cases, linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. No evidence of human-to-
human transmission as of yet as reported by Mandarin’s state-run news agency.
10th January Shanghai laboratory completes genome sequencing of the COVID-19 virus; a report of
2020 this is passed to IHO.
14th January IHO epidemiologist says that COVID-19 shows ‘limited’ human-to-human
2020 transmission.
IHO then says this is a ‘misunderstanding’ and issues a tweet saying that there is no
evidence of human-to-human transmission, citing Chinese health officials.
25th January Lockdown is imposed in the Hebei Province.
29-30 January Supreme Court rebukes Wuhan police for suppressing “rumours” about the outbreak.
11 March IHO declares a Global Pandemic.

ABOUT THE DISPUTE

The International Health Organization, along with other countries has alleged Communist
Republic of Mandarin to be liable for the breach of International Health Regulations 2005. It
has alleged the commission of an Internationally Wrongful Act by Mandarin and violation
of ‘transboundary harm’ principle because of its economic policies and laws regulating wet
markets in Mandarin. IHO and other countries present a different set of facts and hence, have
agreed to submit this dispute to ICJ.

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SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

1. THAT THE CONDUCT OF COMMUNIST REPUBLIC OF MANDARIN IN INFORMING THE

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION ABOUT THE PANDEMIC IS IN VIOLATION OF

ARTICLE 6 & 7 OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS 2005

It is humbly submitted before the Hon’ble court that Mandarin breached Article 6 & 7 of
International Health Regulations 2005 by delaying the reporting of the outbreak to IHO and
is therefore, under Article 18 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, responsible
for an internationally wrongful act. Mandarin is liable under Article 2 of the Responsibility
of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts 2001, as [A] the actions of the state organs are
attributable to the state; and [B] it has breached an international obligation (Article 6 & 7
of IHR), and is therefore, obliged to make reparations to the affected states under Article
34 of the Act. Mandarin through breaching an international obligation and negligent
conduct has also violated Article 12 and 14 of the Act.

2. THAT THE REPUBLIC OF MANDARIN IS LIABLE UNDER ‘TRANSBOUNDARY HARM’

PRINCIPLE BECAUSE OF ITS ECONOMIC POLICIES AND LAWS REGULATING WET

MARKETS IN MANDARIN.

It is humbly submitted before the Hon’ble court that Mandarin has satisfied the essential
ingredients of Transboundary Harm principle of the Draft Articles as [A] the harm was a
result of human activity not prohibited under International law; [B] there exists a physical
relationship between the activity concerned and harm caused; [C] there was a
transboundary transfer of the harmful effect; and [D] the activity involves “a risk of causing
significant harm”. Further, Mandarin has violated its obligation to prevent transboundary
harm of COVID-19 through lack of due diligence under Articles 3, 7, 8, 9 & 10 of the Draft
Articles, & there being restrictions on the exercise of sovereignty by Mandarin, it is liable
to pay damages to the affected States for the spread of COVID-19.

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