International law, also known as the corpus juris, is composed of rules and principles that govern the relationships between states, international organizations, and sometimes individuals. It encompasses a wide range of issues like state sovereignty, human rights, war, and environmental protection. The underpinnings of international law are treaties, customary practices, and judicial decisions by international courts; it aims at promoting peaceful coexistence among nations, fostering security while discouraging conflicts, and encouraging cooperation between countries.

Regarding enforcement, it lacks a centralized system, and adherence is promoted using diplomacy as well as participation in international organizations based on recognition of state responsibility. The structure of international law ensures the resolution of conflicts, protection of fundamental human rights, and facilitation of order globally rooted in principles and laws.

Some of the important and well-known principles and regulations of international law are as follows:

• Sovereignty: Sovereignty is the condition whereby states are acknowledged as having absolute powers within their territorial limits and are also regarded as equal actors in global systems.
• Non-intervention: The non-intervention principle is based on the norm that states should not meddle in another country's internal affairs.
• Prohibition of Aggression: Regarding the prohibition of aggression, it is worth mentioning that the territorial integrity or political independence of any state cannot be infringed by military intervention unless there are reasons for self-defense or authorization from the United Nations Security Council.
• Right to Self-defense: In this case, a state possesses the natural right of self-defense against any hostile armed aggression, individually or collectively with other states.
• Pacta Sunt Servanda: The Latin phrase "Pacta Sunt Servanda" means that agreements between states have binding force and must be executed.
• Jus Cogens: Jus Cogens, which are primary rules of international law and are always considered obligatory norms, include the prohibition of genocide and also of slavery and torture.
• Ex Injuria Jus Non Oritur: Ex Injuria Jus Non Oritur means that the law does not come from injustice; this makes it clear that unlawful behavior cannot create legal rights or obligations.
• State Responsibility: The subject of State Responsibility holds that states are liable for any internationally wrongful act and have the potential to pay compensation for any injury.
• Diplomatic Immunity: Diplomatic relations are facilitated by diplomatic immunity, through which diplomats are not subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the host state.
• Territorial Integrity: A state possesses the right to uphold its territorial integrity, which means that other states are not at liberty to interfere with their boundaries.
• Human Rights: It has been established through international law that basic human rights must be upheld and respected, including the right to life, liberty, and security of a person. The prohibition of torture and discrimination is also covered by this regulation.
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which sets out the basic rights and liberties to which every human being is entitled.
• Geneva Conventions: The Geneva Conventions are a sequence of agreements that specify the international laws related to humanitarian actions in treating the sick and wounded members of armed forces, as well as to protect civilians in case of armed conflicts.
• Armed Conflict Law: International Humanitarian Law, commonly referred to as armed conflict law, governs the conduct of individuals in times of war or other conflicts in order to limit human suffering and protect non-combatants and civilians.
• Law of the Sea: The Law of the Sea plays an important role in setting the rules and regulations for countries regarding the utilization and exploitation of resources within their territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, and even the high seas.
• Environmental Law: The domain of environmental law covers legal measures to tackle cross-border environmental problems and advances ways of sustainable development along with the protection of natural resources.
• Arbitration and Dispute Resolution: International law allows different means to be used in the peaceful resolution of disputes among states: negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and adjudication.
• Customary International Law: Customary International Law refers to the customary practice among States and is considered legally binding without the treaty form.
• Immunity of States and International Organizations: States as well as certain international organizations are guaranteed immunity against the jurisdiction of other states' courts with few exceptions or limitations like those arising out of commercial activities.
• Treaty Law: International Law Treaty law, a binding agreement between states, is regarded as one of the major sources of international law. States that have ratified treaties are under obligation to comply with all terms set by the agreement.
• Universal Jurisdiction: All states have the right to prosecute for certain crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity even if these acts were committed outside their borders and regardless of the nationality of the offender.
• International Criminal Court (ICC): The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent and international tribunal that was established to indict persons for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.
• Refugee Law: Refugee Law refers to a group of laws that aim to establish rights and protections for refugees. It includes principles such as non-refoulement, which prohibits returning a refugee to their home country where they may face persecution. Moreover, it creates an obligation on the part of states to grant asylum to those who seek it.
• Space Law: This field of law deals with the exploration and use of outer space, as well as that of the Moon and other celestial bodies. It also encompasses other areas such as problems related to space debris and satellite communication.
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): The NPT, short for Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, is a treaty that can help to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament, thus considered steps towards the total elimination of nuclear armaments.
• Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): The CWC is an abbreviation for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which is a treaty that bans the development, manufacture, storage, and use of chemical weapons, as well as obligating their eradication.
• Biological Weapons Convention (BWC): The BWC, or the Biological Weapons Convention, is a convention that discourages and outlaws the development, production, and stockpiling of biological weapons with a focus on promoting cooperation for the peaceful use of biological science and technology.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ): The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is considered the principal judicial body of the United Nations that resolves legal matters between nations. It also delivers advisory opinions on legal questions brought to it by UN organs and specialized agencies.
• Responsibility to Protect (R2P): When we consider the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), it is important to bear in mind that this principle involves accountability for states towards the task of ensuring the protection of their populations against genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. The second part of the R2P principle concerns the international community's involvement when states refuse to honor this responsibility.

Thus, the legal system of the international community consists of norms and principles that are fundamental to controlling states and guaranteeing their relations with one another, thus assisting in the development of international cooperation for the sake of peace and security.

Written By: Md.Imran Wahab, IPS, IGP, Provisioning, West Bengal
Email: [email protected], Ph no: 9836576565