General principles oflnternational law as peremptory norms oflnternational law

The paper analyzes the relationship between general principles of law and peremptory norms (ius cogens) in contemporary international law, starting from Article z8(і)(s) of the Statute o f the International Court ofJustice and Article 53 o f the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. Special attention is given to the question o f whether general principles o f law, traditionally understood as a subsidiary source of law, can acquire the status o f norms from 'which no deviation is permitted. First, the nature and function o f general principles of law are examined, distinguishing between principles derivedfrom domestic legal systems and those inherent in the international legal order itself. The paper then analyzes the concept, elements, and legal effects of peremptory norms, 'with particular reference to the 'work o f the International Law Commission and relevant judicial practice. The central part of the paper examines the doctrinal debate on the possibility of converting general principles into ius cogens norms, juxtaposing arguments that emphasize differences in their genesis and function 'with views highlighting material criteria, such as normative intensity and universal acceptance. Relying on the analysis of specific examples, the paper shows that some peremptory norms have multiple origins and may reflect values contained in general principles of law. On this basis, the concept o f a transversal hierarchy is developed, according to 'which ius cogens represents a meta-normative quality that may be inherent in norms o f differentformal origins. It is concluded that, although general principles of law generally retain their subsidiary function, the possibility is not excluded that certain principles, under strict conditions, may evolve into norms ofthe highest hierarchical rank, thereby confirming the 'value-based transformation o f the international legal order. The transformation of general principles into ius cogens norms exemplifies the development of a truly global and 'value-based legal order.