Jus cogens - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

Definition

Jus cogens(from Latin: compelling law; from English: peremptory norm) refers to certain fundamental, overriding principles of international law.

Overview

There is near-universal agreement for the existence of the category of�jus�cogens�norms, and its existence is memorialized in�Article 53 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT): �[A]�treaty is void if, at the time of its conclusion, it conflicts with a peremptory norm of general international law.�

However, in practice, the attempt to classify certain rules, rights, and duties as�peremptory norms have not been very successful.

Examples of jus cogens norms include�prohibitions against crimes against humanity, genocide, and human trafficking.�

Further Reading

For more on�jus cogens, see this Santa Clara Journal of�International Law article, this Chinese Journal of International Law article, and this Penn State International Law Review article.