Implementation of International Law Principles in Indonesian National Law
Abstract
Background: The integration of international law principles into domestic legal systems is a complex and often contentious process. In Indonesia, the implementation of international law principles in national law involves balancing domestic legal norms with the obligations arising from international treaties and conventions. While Indonesia has ratified numerous international agreements, the actual incorporation of these principles into national law remains inconsistent and subject to various interpretations. The tension between adherence to international norms and the sovereignty of national law presents a unique challenge in the application of international law principles within the Indonesian context.
Objective: This study aims to examine how international law principles are implemented in Indonesian national law, focusing on the mechanisms, challenges, and effectiveness of their integration. The research seeks to identify key areas where international law is applied or disregarded in Indonesian legal practice and to provide recommendations for improving alignment with international standards.
Method: A qualitative research approach was used, combining legal document analysis, case studies, and interviews with legal scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. This allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the practical application of international law principles in Indonesia’s legal system.
Results: The study found that while Indonesia incorporates international law principles in specific areas, such as human rights and environmental law, there is often resistance or inconsistency in their implementation, particularly in areas that conflict with national interests.
Conclusion: To enhance the effectiveness of implementing international law principles, this study recommends greater institutional cooperation, clearer legal frameworks, and the establishment of stronger enforcement mechanisms.
Full text article
References
Agueitos Soriano, S. (2025). COP29 AND THE ABSENCE OF THE LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT. A SETBACK FOR THE PROGRESS OF MULTILEVEL ACTION BY MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS. Actualidad Juridica Ambiental, 2025(153), 83–108. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.56398/ajacieda.00400
Atika Sari, D. A., Triatmodjo, M., & Purwanto, H. (2025). Juridical construction of socio-ecological security: Indonesia’s vulnerability to climate change. Dalam Komariah null, Hiramatsu K., Uddin N., & Ariyanto D.P. (Ed.), BIO. Web. Conf. (Vol. 155). EDP Sciences; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202515506015
Bennett, N. J., Relano, V., Roumbedakis, K., Blythe, J., Andrachuk, M., Claudet, J., Dawson, N., Gill, D., Lazzari, N., Mahajan, S. L., Muhl, E.-K., Riechers, M., Strand, M., & Villasante, S. (2025). Ocean equity: From assessment to action to improve social equity in ocean governance. Frontiers in Marine Science, 12. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1473382
Bradlow, D. D., Lastra, R. M., & Park, S. K. (2025). How Law Can Contribute to a More Holistic Assessment of Debt Sustainability. Development (Basingstoke). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41301-025-00419-9
Calzolari, F., & Phantanaboon, W. (2025). UNCHARTED VOYAGES: TUVALUANS’ NARRATIVES AND EXPERIENCES OF STATEHOOD AND SURVIVAL DURING CLIMATE CHANGE. International Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies, 21(1), 151–177. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.21315/ijaps2025.21.1.6
Cirkovic (?irkovi?), E., & Wood, D. R. (2025). “Integrating planetary boundaries into sustainable space exploration: An earth-outer space system design framework.” Acta Astronautica, 228, 1088–1098. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.12.037
Hameed, M. M., & Khalaf, S. M. (2025). Climate Changes and Societal Stability in Iraq: Proposed Measures. Journal of Ecohumanism, 4(1), 4712–4723. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v4i1.6368
Jalil, S. (2025). Toward an International Grundnorm for Climate Change: Ensuring Sustainability Away from the Traditional Notion of Security. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(3). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031034
Kemp, D., Owen, J. R., Schuele, W., Loginova, J., & Ern Ang, M. L. (2025). Climate change, biodiversity, and the energy transition: The potential role of the UN’s declaration on peasants’ rights. One Earth, 8(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.11.013
Kim, S. Y., & Kim, H. J. (2025). ‘Common but differentiated’ motivations? Requests for advisory opinions concerning climate change and the law of the sea. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 25(1), 61–77. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-024-09659-5
Konasinghe, K. (2025). South Asian Perspectives on Environmental Courts and Tribunals: Prospects and Challenges. Dalam Sulistiawati L.Y. & Mukherjee S. (Ed.), Brill. Asian. Law. Ser. (Vol. 13, hlm. 249–286). Brill Nijhoff; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004695863_010
Lehmen, A., & Vidigal, G. (2025). Trade and Environment in EU-Mercosur Relations: Negotiating in the Shadow of Unilateralism. European Foreign Affairs Review, 30, 87–114. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.54648/eerr2025004
Luoma, C. (2025). Strengthening the Rights to Culture and Mental Health in the Face of Environmental Violence. Human Rights Quarterly, 47(1), 14–16. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2025.a951570
Maboudi, T., & D’Amico, E. (2025). Vulnerability, climate laws, and adaptation in the Middle East and North Africa. Environmental Policy and Governance, 35(1), 145–158. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.2134
Majeske, A. (2025). Climate change. Dalam Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Law and Literature (hlm. 81–84). Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781803925912.ch22
Manbeck, L. (2025). Intergenerational Equity as a General Principle of Law. Columbia Journal of Transnational Law, 63(1), 178–221. Scopus.
Maniruzzaman, A. F. M., & Al-Saleem, K. (2025). Renewable energy and energy justice in the Middle East: International human rights, environmental and climate change law and policy perspectives. Journal of World Energy Law and Business, 18(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1093/jwelb/jwae021
Mann, I. (2025). From survival cannibalism to climate politics: Rethinking Regina vs Dudley and Stephens. Glob. Const. Global Constitutionalism. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045381725000097
Mazzoleni, M. (2025). Pope Francis and the environment, act 2. Time for decisive climate action. Environmental Politics, 34(1), 195–203. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2024.2416372
Meagher, N. (2025). Dr Frieder Roessler’s Approach to the Constitutional Function of the GATT/WTO. Global Trade and Customs Journal, 20(4), 272–277. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.54648/gtcj2025034
Mehta, C., & Luhach, S. (2025). Displaced by Climate Change: Navigating Legal Framework for ‘Climate Refugees’ in International Environmental Law. India Quarterly. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/09749284241307928
Morales, L., Andreosso-O’Callaghan, B., & Rajmil, D. (2025). Geoeconomics of the Sustainable Development Goals. Dalam Geoeconomics of the Sustainable Development Goals (hlm. 331). Taylor and Francis; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032655857
Mortada, A. R., & Pagani, L. S. (2025). Judicial and non-judicial factors regarding the right to access freshwater in low- and middle-income countries. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-025-00784-4
Nawaz, F., Islam, Z. U., Ghori, S. A., Bahadur, A., Ullah, H., Ahmad, M., & Khan, G. U. (2025). Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution: Assessing translocation, impact, and mitigation strategies in marine ecosystems. Water Environment Research, 97(2). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.70032
Niriella, J. (2025). THE INTERSECTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE, GENDER EQUALITY, AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK: Analyzing the Impact of Environmental Policies on Women’s Rights and Opportunities in Sri Lanka’s Fragile Democracy. Dalam The Global Rise of Autocracy: Its Threat to a Sustainable Future (hlm. 199–218). Taylor and Francis; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003516583-12
Nowak, M. J. (2025). The Protection of Green Spaces for Climate Change Adaptation: Planning Systems, Policies and Instruments. Dalam The Protection of Green Spaces for Climate Change Adaptation: Plan. Systems, Policies and Instruments (hlm. 194). Taylor and Francis; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032645407
Ntangeki, J. (2025). The Role of International Investment Agreements in Supporting Sustainable Development. Dalam International Investment Law Reform: Contemporary Issues and Solutions (hlm. 54–82). Taylor and Francis; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003502760-4
Parvin, A., Semme, S. A., Sultana, N., Moniruzzaman, M., Saha, B., al Mahmud, A., Uddin, M. J., & Hossain, M. K. (2025). Archival indicator of metal pollution in a tropical monsoon coastal region: Impact on environment and human health. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 213. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117600
Reusch, P. T., & Schmidt, J. P. (2025). Can law change economic logic? Revisiting planned obsolescence. Revista de Direito Economico e Socioambiental, 16(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.7213/rev.dir.econ.soc.v16i1.31028
Sapkota, B., & Pariatamby, A. (2025). Pharmaceutical waste management legislations: Where do ASEAN countries stand in harmonization? A review of regulatory documents. Waste Management, 195, 107–128. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2025.01.039
Saravanan, S., Akay, Y. M., Chen, T., & Akay, M. (2025). Impacts of climate change on global health: A review of preparedness, infectious disease, and excessive heat. Health and Technology, 15(1), 7–14. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-024-00927-7
Sharma, S., Hussain, S., Kumar, A., Patil, M., Kumar, P., Kamboj, S., & Singh, A. N. (2025). Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in India: Challenges and Opportunities. Dalam Biotechnological Innovations for Sustainable Biodiversity and Development (hlm. 276–291). CRC Press; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032697550-21
Steig, F., & Oels, A. (2025). Governing the Climate in the Paris Era: Organized Irresponsibility, Technocratic Climate Futures, and Normalized Disasters. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 16(2). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.70001
Thin, S. (2025). Playing Fast and Loose with Article 31(3)(c) VCLT: Lessons on Systemic Integration from the ITLOS Climate Change Opinion. Netherlands International Law Review. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40802-025-00274-y
Thomas, H., Ward, M. S., Simmonds, J. S., Taylor, M. F. J., & Maron, M. (2025). Poor compliance and exemptions facilitate ongoing deforestation. Conservation Biology, 39(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14354
Wang, C., & Wu, M. (2025). On the provisions of the BBNJ Agreement addressing the impacts of climate change. Marine Policy, 171. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106429
White, L. V., Aisbett, E., Pearce, O., & Cheng, W. (2025). Principles for embedded emissions accounting to support trade-related climate policy. Climate Policy, 25(1), 109–125. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2024.2356803
Authors
Copyright (c) 2025 Budi Prasetyo, Jaden Tan, Rachel Chan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.