The Inviolability of Human Rights: An Analysis of Jus Cogens Norms in International Law
Keywords:
Analysis, Inviolability, International Law, Human Rights, and Jus Cogens NormsAbstract
This article examines the inviolability of human rights through an analysis of jus cogens norms in international law. It explores the legal, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of peremptory norms and their role in safeguarding fundamental human rights. Adopting Natural Law Theory as its theoretical framework and employing a doctrinal research methodology, the study analyzes relevant international treaties, customary international law, judicial decisions, and scholarly literature. The findings reveal that jus cogens norms occupy the highest position in the hierarchy of international law and constitute the strongest legal basis for protecting non-derogable rights by invalidating conflicting treaties, generating obligations erga omnes, permitting universal jurisdiction, and imposing responsibility on states and individuals for serious violations of international law. The study further observes that, despite challenges such as inconsistent state practice, selective enforcement, and the absence of an exhaustive catalogue of jus cogens norms, these peremptory norms remain indispensable to the protection of human dignity, the promotion of accountability, and the progressive development of international law. It concludes that the inviolability of fundamental human rights is firmly rooted in jus cogens norms, making their effective recognition and enforcement essential for achieving justice, preserving the rule of law, and strengthening the international human rights regime.
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