Coronavirus crisis and the impossibility of performance of international treaties by states

On January 30, 2020, the Secretary-General of the World Health Organization called the Coronavirus crisis as a situation of Public Health Emergency, which has caused the international concern. On March 11, 2020, the Secretary-General described the crisis as a pandemic, which is extraordinary event under international health regulations adopted by the World Health Organization in 2005. In the positions of the states, this crisis is always considered as an unusual, serious and unexpected situation that requires immediate action by the international community. In this regard, many states have declared the emergency situation in accordance with their domestic law, and have taken steps to reduce, prevent and counter the spread of the virus, these actions have led to the violation of their treaty obligations. In accordance with the articles 61 and 62 of the 1969 Convention on the Law of Treaties, the impossibility of performance, fundamentally changing the circumstances, under the specific conditions set forth in these articles, can be cited as a basis for terminating, withdrawing or suspending the treaty and can be the cause of the exemption of the state responsibility. In this regard, it is possible to cite the rules related to the amendment of treaties. It should be noted that even if the specific situation caused by the coronavirus does not lead to the termination or suspension of the treaty, it can exempt the state from the secondary responsibility for the damages resulting from the breach of their obligations, according to Force Major.