Espionage as a Sovereign Right Under International Law and Its Limits

ILSA Quarterly, Volume 24, Issue 3, pp. 22-28, 2016

7 Pages Posted: 15 May 2016 Last revised: 16 May 2016

See all articles by Asaf Lubin

Asaf Lubin

Indiana University Maurer School of Law; Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society; Yale University - Information Society Project; Federmann Cybersecurity Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Law

Date Written: February 1, 2016

Abstract

In this article I propose a new approach to the scholarly debate on the international law of peacetime espionage. The paper first introduces the notion of a "Jus Ad Explorationem", or a right to spy, as a sovereign right within the domaine réservé of States. I contend that the existence of the right finds its underpinning in both historical and contemporary international law. Moreover I argue that by acknowledging spying as an acta jure imperii, a power exclusively granted to sovereign nations, we would finally be able to move away from the paralyzing debate as to the lawfulness of spying and begin drafting meaningful regulations on the way States enjoy their right to spy.

The ILSA Quarterly is the official publication of the International Law Students Association, and this work was produced as part of the author's broader role in drafting the compromis for the 2016 Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The year's problem was titled "The Case Concerning the Frost Files", and focused on the international law surrounding espionage, mass surveillance, and cyber operations. The final round of the 2016 Jessup case, which paralleled the 110th ASIL Annual Meeting, was judged by ICJ judges Hisashi Owada, Christopher Greenwood, and Bruno Simma.

Keywords: Espionage, Intelligence, International Law, Foreign Relations, Diplomacy

Suggested Citation

Lubin, Asaf, Espionage as a Sovereign Right Under International Law and Its Limits (February 1, 2016). ILSA Quarterly, Volume 24, Issue 3, pp. 22-28, 2016, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2777823

Asaf Lubin (Contact Author)

Indiana University Maurer School of Law ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://https://www.law.indiana.edu/about/people/bio.php?name=lubin-asaf

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
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Yale University - Information Society Project ( email )

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New Haven, CT 06520-8215
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Federmann Cybersecurity Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Law

Mount Scopus
Mount Scopus, IL 91905
Israel

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