9.2 Jus Cogens (VCLT Articles 53, 64)

The peremptory norms of general international law — accepted and recognized by the international community as a whole, from which no derogation is permitted: the prohibitions of aggression, genocide, slavery, torture; the basic rules of humanitarian law; self-determination. A treaty conflicting with jus cogens is void ab initio (Article 53); a newly emerging peremptory norm destroys existing conflicting treaties (Article 64 — Article 53's forward twin). Jus cogens is the community's highest law qualifying the sanctity of consent — with erga omnes obligations as its procedural cousin (Barcelona Traction).