3.1 Objective or risk responsibility : The view that seems to attract majority support is that an objective test should be applied to the actions of states. Provided that the acts complained of can be attributed to the state then it will be liable if those acts constitute a breach of international law regardless of any question of fault or intention. There are certain defences available but the burden of establishing them will be placed

doi:10.4324/9781843143802-77

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ABSTRACT

It is a well established principle of international law that no government can be held responsible for the act of rebellious bodies of men committed in violation of its authority, where it is itself guilty of no breach of good faith, or of no negligence in suppressing insurrection.18