Jus Cogens : A Case in Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Abstract

          In interternational relations, jus cogens is very seldom invoked because issues to which jus cogens is applicable do not often arise. When the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into force on the 22^nd January 2021, it was an occasion to apply jus cogens. The  Parties to the Treaty must observe all prohibitions with respect to nuclear weapons. All  nuclear weapon states which are not parties to the Treaty are also prohibited from using nuclear weapons since the use of nuclear weapons result in genocide due to the destruction of massive numbers of civilian populations, which  is a crime under jus cogens. Thailand should campaign to let the peoples of nuclear weapon states be aware that the use of nuclear weapons is now prohibited by international law, and put pressure on the governments of nuclear weapon states to abolish nuclear weapons in order to avoid the total destruction of humankind.