International Law vs. State Sovereignty The Ongoing Dilemma in Enforcing Human Rights

Author- Ishita Setha, BVP{NLC}


TO THE POINT
The pressure between transnational law and state sovereignty remains a central dilemma
in the enforcement of mortal rights. While transnational mortal rights law seeks to uphold universal morals and cover individualities from abuse, its effectiveness frequently clashes with the principle of state sovereignty the right of countries to govern without external hindrance. States may repel transnational scrutiny or scores, citing
public interest, artistic differences, or security enterprises. This resistance hampers enforcement mechanisms, especially when mortal rights violations do within important ornon-compliant countries. also, the lack of binding enforcement
powers in numerous transnational bodies, similar as the United Nations Human Rights Council, weakens responsibility. Although doctrines like the Responsibility to cover have surfaced to justify intervention in extreme cases, their operation remains inconsistent and politically driven. The dilemma is further complicated by double norms and geopolitical interests, leading to picky enforcement. Eventually, coordinating the sovereignty of countries with the universal pursuit of mortal quality continues to challenge the legality, thickness, and moral authority of the transnational mortal rights frame.


Abstract
This paper explores the complex and evolving relationship between transnational
law and state sovereignty in the environment of mortal rights enforcement. It critically examines how the global commitment to upholding universal mortal rights frequently clashes with the traditional principle ofnon-intervention and the autonomous authority of countries. While transnational legal instruments and institutions aim to

hold violators responsible, enforcement remains limited due to political interests, inconsistent operation, and lack of binding authority. The paper also analyses contemporary mechanisms similar as the Responsibility to cover and transnational felonious bars, pressing both their implicit and limitations.

Use of Legal Jargon

While transnational mortal rights scores radiate from binding covenants, customary transnational law, and peremptory morals (jus cogens), their domestic perpetration remains contingent upon state concurrence and external legal fabrics. The doctrine of Non-intervention, deduced from the principle of
autonomous equivalency under Composition 2(1) and 2(7) of the UN Charter, frequently acts as a
legal guard against external scrutiny, indeed in cases of gross mortal rights violations. Mechanisms analogous as universal governance and the Responsibility to cover seek to stamp claims of sovereignty in cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, but their conjuration is constantly subject to political selectivity and power dynamics within bodies like the UN Security Council. likewise, the lack of direct enforcement powers in international bars and convention- monitoring bodies emphasize the dilemma of enforceability.


The Proof
The patient pressure between international law and state sovereignty is substantiated through a combination of legal precedents, convention practices, and state conduct that reveal the limitations of administering mortal rights morals. numerous cases illustrate how countries bring the principle of independentNon-intervention to repel compliance with international mortal rights scores. For illustration, in Reservations to the Genocide Convention( 1951 ICJ Rep 15), the International Court of Justice recognized the pressure between universality and state concurrence in convention scores. also, cases before the European Court of Human Rights ( ECtHR), analogous as Loizidou v. Turkey, affirm that mortal rights scores are binding erga omnes and not entirely subject to independent discretion. Empirical validation further demonstrates the picky enforcement of doctrines like R2P successfully invoked in Libya but especially absent in Syria due to political vetoes in the UN Security Council, revealing the limitations of

international legal mechanisms constrained by independent interests. also, the International Criminal Court faces jurisdictional and enforcement challenges when countries either withdraw from the Rome Statute or refuse cooperation, despite the principle of complementarity. These cases prove that without genuine political will and structural reforms, sovereignty continues to trump international responsibility, leaving the enforcement of mortal rights inconsistent and constantly ineffective.


Case Laws
Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan,( 1997) 6 SCC 241 Issue Protection of women from sexual importunity at the factory. Applicability The Supreme Court held that in the absence of specific domestic legislation, international conventions can be read into fundamental rights under papers 14, 15, and 21. This case marked a progressive use of international mortal rights law, indeed without express legislative incorporation, thereby limiting rigid sundries of sovereignty.
People’s Union for Civil Liberties( PUCL) v. Union of India,( 1997) 1 SCC Issue Wiretapping and the right to insulation. Applicability The Court substantiated international mortal rights morals, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to interpret Composition 21 of the Constitution, showing that international scores can inform indigenous interpretation.
Gramophone Company of India Ltd. v. Birendra Bahadur Pandey,( 1984) 2 SCC 534 Issue Conflict between international scores and domestic law. Applicability The Supreme Court held that if there is no inconsistency, external law should be interpreted in harmony with international law, but in case of conflict, domestic sovereignty prevails. This highlights the dualist nature of Indian law.
Apparel Export Promotion Council v. A.K. Chopra,( 1999) 1 SCC 759 Issue Sexual importunity and employer liability. Applicability Reiterated Vishaka’s approach, holding that international conventions ratified by India, indeed if not legislated upon, can be executed to uphold mortal quality under Composition 21.
State of West Bengal v. Kesoram industriousness Ltd.,( 2004) 10 SCC 201 Issue Taxation and federalism. Applicability Although primarily about indigenous interpretation, the Court mooted the limits of sovereignty in a indigenous democracy, offering  indirect support to the idea that sovereignty can be constrained by advanced morals, including international commitments.

Conclusion
international law and state sovereignty continues to pose an fundamental challenge to the effective enforcement of mortal rights. While international legal fabrics, covenants, and judicial mechanisms have evolved to uphold extensively accepted mortal rights morals, their performance constantly remains contingent upon state concurrence and political will. The principle of sovereignty, though essential to the international legal order, has constantly been invoked to repel responsibility and external scrutiny, particularly in cases involving systemic rights violations. still, judicial developments both international and domestic, including in India reflect a growing recognition that sovereignty must yield when defied with jus cogens morals and erga omnes scores. Courts have increasingly embraced the doctrine that mortal quality and rights transcend borders, thereby promoting a normative shift toward a farther right- predicated international order. To ground the gap between legal commitments and ground realities, there is critical need for farther harmonious, unbiased, and enforceable mechanisms that can reconcile the legit
interests of independent countries with the moral and legal imperatives of guarding fundamental mortal rights.


FAQs
Q1. What is the main conflict between international law and state sovereignty in mortal rights enforcement? A The core conflict lies in the fact that while international law seeks to cover universal mortal rights, state sovereignty allows nations to govern without external interference. This constantly results in resistance to international scrutiny or non- compliance with global mortal rights morals.
Q2. Can international mortal rights law override state sovereignty? A In proposition, international law especially jus cogens morals and scores erga  omnes takes precedence over domestic sovereignty in matters of grave mortal rights violations. still, in practice, enforcement depends on state cooperation  and political will, making sovereignty a significant limiting factor.
Q3. What mechanisms live to apply mortal rights internationally? A Mechanisms include the United Nations Human Rights Council, International Criminal Court, indigenous mortal rights courts, convention- covering bodies, and doctrines like the

Responsibility to cover. still, ultimate of these mechanisms clearances binding enforcement powers.
Q4. How has India balanced international mortal rights law with state sovereignty? A Indian courts, particularly the Supreme Court, have increasingly interpreted indigenous rights considering international mortal rights covenants like CEDAW and ICCPR, especially in cases like Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan and PUCL v. Union of India. still, India retains a dualist approach convention are enforceable  only when incorporated into domestic law.
Q5. What is the significance of the doctrine of Responsibility to cover( R2P)? A R2P is a principle under which the international community may intermediate  diplomatically or militarily when a state fails to cover its population from genocide, war crimes, racial sanctification, or crimes against humanity. It challenges absolute sovereignty but is applied inconsistently due to geopolitical interests.

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