The Failure of Good Intentions – Philippe Sands on the Limits of International Law

26/05/2025 1h 5min
The Failure of Good Intentions – Philippe Sands on the Limits of International Law

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Episode Synopsis

When the newspapers are full of horrifying stories, international law sometimes feels impotent. Why is it still important? In what way is the term “genocide” political? Is our international system failing if world powers don’t subscribe to it? And why would we need a fifth international crime of “Ecocide”? Philippe Sands is a specialist in international law, with over 40 years of experience in advocating for justice in front of the world’s most significant courts, such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights. Most importantly, Sands does not just practice international law; he tells its story. 

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