Current Jus Cogens ("Commanding Law")

Jus Cogens ("Commanding Law")

• A norm from which no derogation is permitted
• See also 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Article 53
• Slavery is bad
• Aggression is bad
• Genocide and crimes against humanity are bad
• Self-determination is good
• Racial equality is essential
• Right to be free from torture, extrajudicial murder, and prolonged, arbitrary detention
• Democracy is essential? – Controversial!