Senior Lecturer in Law @ehu_lcp @edgehill. International Law Researcher @UKParliament @commonslibrary Author: https://xitter.gq/t.co/xvCwGGbyQ2
Liverpool, UK
Joined January 2010
- Tweets1.5K
- Following4K
- Followers1.3K
- Likes613
Pinned Tweet
Out in paperback in December:
The Responsibility to Protect and the Failures of the United Nations Security Council
#R2P #InternationalLaw #Sanctions #Countermeasures
bloomsbury.com/uk/responsibi…
Patrick Butchard retweeted
New research briefing for the House of Commons Library: International law and the Chagos Archipelago.
Re-capping the main legal issues that led to the UK-Mauritius Treaty, and where it stands now.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk…
New research briefing for the House of Commons Library: International law and the Chagos Archipelago.
Re-capping the main legal issues that led to the UK-Mauritius Treaty, and where it stands now.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk…
Patrick Butchard retweeted
Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Martin Kimani of Kenya as the new Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO).
🔗 un.org/sg/en/content/sg/pers…
Patrick Butchard retweeted
It's out! @CrisisGroup's big annual briefing on the state of the #UnitedNations is here.
Congrats to @FortiD for pulling it together this year.
crisisgroup.org/sbr/global/s…
Maybe it's just the internet today, but the new fad of apparently hating a film you've never seen is a bit draining. Critics are one thing, but it's not interesting whether you like a movie or not. It's personal preference, live with it. Oh and Doomsday looks epic #XMen
Patrick Butchard retweeted
Just published @commonslibrary - background on the UK's operations to seize the shadow fleet, including details on the domestic sanctions, enforcement powers, and international laws that might apply
commonslibrary.parliament.uk…
Just published @commonslibrary - background on the UK's operations to seize the shadow fleet, including details on the domestic sanctions, enforcement powers, and international laws that might apply
commonslibrary.parliament.uk…
Constructive ambiguity is always interesting - if the Council has the power to authorise action, but instead of using that word simply "strongly encourages" it, then is the authorisation is still there? Wouldn't make sense to say "you should do x, but we're not authorising it".
New: after multiple delays، diplomatic sources tell me vote on the Bahrain draft on the Strait of Hormuz will take place tomorrow at 11. In new revision circulated today OP2 reads as follows with major change from Authorizes to encourages:
“Strongly encourages States interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz, including through the escort of merchant and commercial vessels, and to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Patrick Butchard retweeted
Diplomats say that, at #France's request, the #UNSC will hold closed consultations at 3 pm today regarding #Bahrain's #Hormuz Strait draft resolution.
Update: Diplomatic sources are telling me Russia, China and France (separately) have broken silence on the Bahrain draft. Despite removal of Chapter 7 language they are still citing ongoing concerns and want Bahrain to work with council members to reach an amicable solution.
France on the other hand wants emphasis on freedom of navigation.
Been waiting for this one too - contrast the UK's relatively to the point letter, reporting Article 51 self-defence action to the UNSC.
Mentions necessity and proportionality generally, but also that Gulf states have requested UK collective defense.
UN Doc S/2026/161
Israel's letter, dated 10 March, also available.
Arguments along the same lines as the US letter, citing ongoing hostilities and claiming defensive action.
UN Doc S/2026/162
digitallibrary.un.org/record…
Sorry. Wrong document number for UK Letter
S/2026/140
digitallibrary.un.org/record…
Patrick Butchard retweeted
Israel's letter of the same date also seeks to justify combat operations taken in cooperation with US, but whereas US letter explicitly invokes Article 51, Israel speaks more generally of its "right and duty to defend itself and its citizens" without specific citation of Art.51.
Events moving quickly, so missed when this was published.
US letter to UN Security Council, dated 10 March. Claims force against Iran is "self-defence" Art 51, and "ongoing" conflict since 2025.
Lots to assess on claims. One thing clear - international law is back in the room.
Should also mention that Iran has made counter-arguments of course.
Has written to the UN almost every day since the US action began late Feb
digitallibrary.un.org/search…
Israel's letter, dated 10 March, also available.
Arguments along the same lines as the US letter, citing ongoing hostilities and claiming defensive action.
UN Doc S/2026/162
digitallibrary.un.org/record…
Patrick Butchard retweeted
The agenda used by the Security Council solely for considering Iran's nuclear programme - "Non-proliferation" - was just adopted at the meeting by a vote of 11 in favour, China & Russia voting against, and Pakistan & Somalia abstaining.
Patrick Butchard retweeted
Tomorrow morning (12 March), the #UNSC is scheduled to hold a briefing on the work of the 1737 Sanctions Committee concerning Iran.
◻ No briefer is expected
→ Read more: bit.ly/3NaHYNh
Patrick Butchard retweeted
The Russian draft resolution on military escalation in Middle East below just failed to receive the necessary votes to be adopted in the #UNSC. It received:
- Four votes in favor (Russia, China, Somalia & Pakistan)
- Two votes against (USA & Latvia)
- Nine abstentions (UK, France, Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Denmark, Greece, Liberia & Panama)
