ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book sets out the background within which the need for differentiation between serious and less serious violations of international law and more specifically between ‘crimes’ and ‘delicts’ emerged in the law on state responsibility. It highlights the strong impact that the concept of community interests has had on the determination of the legal consequences to arise there-from and of the subjects entitled to invoke the responsibility of the wrongdoing state. The book illustrates that the infringement of fundamental community interests widens the circle of states affected from the wrongful act and entitles them to invoke the responsibility of the wrongdoing state. It provides additional evidence that even in those cases where states have justified their conduct on other legal justifications, a claim in support of solidarity measures could be made instead.
