Amid a global ecological crisis and the transgression of planetary boundaries in the Anthropocene era, the urgent need to strengthen an imperative international legal framework has become pressing if the continued existence of the Earth is to be safeguarded. Rising to this challenge, Diah Apriani Atika Sari, a doctoral candidate in the Doctoral Program in Legal Studies at the UGM Faculty of Law (PDIH FH UGM), officially defended her dissertation proposing the formation of jus cogens norms and erga omnes obligations in the field of international environmental law. The open doctoral defense was held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Room 3.1.1 of Building 3, First Floor, UGM Faculty of Law.
In her dissertation research, titled "The Conceptualization of Jus Cogens Norms and Erga Omnes Obligations in the Field of International Environmental Law," Diah drew attention to the absence of any norm within international environmental law that has been explicitly recognized as holding jus cogens status that is, status as the highest form of legal norm, which is imperative in character, universally binding, and from which no state may derogate. Through a statutory and conceptual approach, Diah identified two general environmental law norms that carry the strongest potential to be accepted and recognized as new jus cogens norms in the future: the no-harm principle and the human right to a good and healthy environment.
The conceptualization of these norms holds strategic importance in supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Affirming the no-harm principle and the right to a healthy environment as jus cogens norms would directly contribute to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDGs 14 and 15 (Life Below Water and Life on Land) by obligating all states to prevent large-scale destruction of the biosphere. The establishment of these imperative norms would also strengthen SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) through the formation of a global legal order that is proportionate, humanistic, and guarantees intergenerational justice.
The doctoral defense was presided over by Prof. Adrianto Dwi Nugroho, S.H., Adv.LL.M., LL.D. as Head of the Examining Panel. The Promotor team comprised Prof. Dr. Marsudi Triatmodjo, S.H., LL.M. as Promotor and Dr. Harry Purwanto, S.H., M.Hum. as Co-Promotor. The examining panel consisted of leading legal scholars: Prof. Dr. Agustinus Supriyanto, S.H., M.Hum., Prof. Andy Omara, S.H., M.Pub. & Int.Law., Ph.D., Dr. Wahyu Yun Santoso, S.H., M.Hum., LL.M., and external examiner Prof. Dr. I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi H., S.H., M.M.
On the basis of the examining panel's comprehensive assessment, Dr. Diah Apriani Atika Sari, S.H., LL.M. was awarded a final grade of A. This result places Diah as the 282nd doctoral graduate of the UGM Faculty of Law and the 7,398th doctoral graduate of Universitas Gadjah Mada. It is hoped that this research will not only enrich international environmental law scholarship, but will also serve as an academic reference for global policymakers in reinforcing the regime of Earth protection for the continued survival of human civilization.
Author : Wisnu Arya Audanta (Part-Time Staff, Doctoral Program in Law)
