Christine Chinkin, PhD, LLM, LLB - US - Iraq War - ProCon.org

RELIABLE.
NONPARTISAN.
EMPOWERING.

US - IRAQ WAR

Christine Chinkin, PhD, LLM, LLB Biography
Title:	Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science
Position:	Con to the question "Should the US Have Attacked Iraq?"
Reasoning:	"There is no justification under international law for the use of military force against Iraq. The UN charter outlaws the use of force with only two exceptions: individual or collective self-defence in response to an armed attack and action authorised by the security council as a collective response to a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression. There are currently no grounds for a claim to use such force in self-defence. The doctrine of pre-emptive self-defence against an attack that might arise at some hypothetical future time has no basis in international law. Neither security council resolution 1441 nor any prior resolution authorises the proposed use of force in the present circumstances... A decision to undertake military action in Iraq without proper security council authorisation will seriously undermine the international rule of law. Of course, even with that authorisation, serious questions would remain. A lawful war is not necessarily a just, prudent or humanitarian war." "War Would Be Illegal," The Guardian, Mar. 7, 2003
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:	Experts Individuals with PhD's, JD's, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the US - Iraq conflict. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to the US - Iraq conflict.
Involvement and Affiliations:	Professor of International Law, London School of Economics and Political Science Director of Studies, International Law Association, 2004-present Called to the Bar, 2003; qualified as barrister, 2004 Member, Matrix Chambers Recipient, American Society of International Law's Certificate of Merit Overseas Affiliated Faculty Member, University of Michigan, 1999-present Lecturer in Law, Lincoln College, Oxford Lecturer in Law, Queen Mary College, University of London Assistant Professor, New York Law School Senior Lecturer in Law, National University of Singapore Senior Lecturer in Law, Sydney University Associate Professor, Sydney University Professor of Law, Southampton University Dean and Head of Department, Law Faculty, Southampton University
Education:	PhD, University of Sydney, 1990 LLM, Yale University, 1981 LLM, University of London, 1972 LLB, 1st class Hons, University of London, 1971
Other:	None found
Quoted in:	1. Was the preemptive invasion of Iraq a violation of international law?

Contact Us

ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200
Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA

Natalie Leppard
Managing Editor
procon@eb.com