The Charter of the United Nations ─ A Commentary

Since the second edition of this commentary on the Charter of the United Nations was published the text of the Charter may not have changed but the world has. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had a lasting impact on international law and the Commentary has been fully updated to take their impact into account. The new edition has been completely revised and features a completely new chapter on UN reform, analyzing the effect of reforms which have already been implemented and examining why other proposals for reform have failed. It will assess how these proposals could be improved, with a particular focus on the Security Council. This new edition also includes coverage of the creation of the Human Rights Council and the impact of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine.

This is the authoritative, article-by-article account of the legislative history, interpretation, and practical application of each and every Charter provision. Written by a team of distinguished scholars and practitioners, this book combines academic research with the insights of practice, and is an indispensable work of reference for all those interested in the UN. The Commentary will be crucial in providing new directions for the development of international law and the United Nations in the twenty-first century.

Bruno Simma is a Judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He was formerly Professor of International Law and European Community Law and Director of the Institute of International Law at the University of Munich and Professor of Law at the University of Michigan.

Daniel-Erasmus Khan is Professor of Public International Law at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich.

Georg Nolte is Professor of Public International Law at the Humboldt University in Berlin.

Andreas Paulus is a Judge at Germany's constitutional court. He was formerly Professor of Public and International Law at the University of Gottingen and co-director of its Institute of International and European Law.