Date: Friday, May 1, 2009
Written By: Hannah Bozman (Saddleback YMCA) from ITARR-TASS

The International Court of Justice had two main issues to discuss on Friday: Nuclear Arms and Rights of Those Accused of Crimes.  The countries present were Jordan, Morocco, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Afghanistan, United States of America and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  All of these countries had their agents filling out the applicant and respondent form.  What this means is one or two countries would take up either the applicant or respondent side of the topic.  The applicant would point out the problems with a respondent country’s policies.  An example would be how Japan (applicant) would say how they are concerned by the way China(respondent) is violating their nuclear weapons policy.  For example, there were claims that China is testing on Korean grounds or that China’s nuclear testing in space is illegal.  China would defend itself and then the agents its agents would present the information and arguments the Justices.  While defending their county, respondents may include other countries in the presenting to the Justices, like they might include Korea to make a statement about the nuclear testing on their land.  The Justices will then have to decide the verdict/memorial that the countries will follow. This practice run taken by ICJ hopefully was effective.