Modern international law remains dominated by hegemonic and Eurocentric perspectives, causing developing countries to be positioned more often as rule-takers rather than rule-makers in the global legal order.

Bogor, W Java (Indonesia Window) – International law is still considered to play an important role in maintaining relations among nations amid the dynamics of global geopolitics.

However, developing countries are seen as needing to strengthen their contributions and alternative narratives so that they do not merely become recipients of rules within the international legal system.

Researcher at the Center for Legal Research (PRH) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Zaihan H. Anggayudha, stated that international law continues to serve as the basis of legality and legitimacy in addressing modern conflicts, although its implementation is often influenced by global political dynamics.

“International law is currently facing major challenges in responding to the development of modern conflicts, including the Russia–Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict, and the use of outer space technology and commercial satellites for military purposes,” he said during the Legal Discussion Forum #3 themed ‘Is International Law Still Relevant in Global Dynamics?’, organized online by PRH BRIN on Friday (May 22), as quoted from BRIN’s network website on Monday.

According to him, international law still provides standards of legality and international legitimacy, but it often faces limitations in directly stopping violence due to the influence of global political interests and the extremely rapid development of technology.

During the discussion, Sri Gilang Muhammad Sultan Rahma Putra from the center argued that modern international law remains dominated by hegemonic and Eurocentric perspectives.

This condition causes developing countries to be positioned more frequently as recipients of rules rather than as creators of global rules.

“International law today tends to be hegemonic and gives rise to various unilateral actions. Therefore, a new ideological narrative is needed — one that is more pluralistic and accommodates the values of various nations,” Gilang explained.

He pointed out that Indonesia possesses important historical capital in the development of international law through the Asian-African Conference (1955), the Bandung Principles, and the Djuanda Declaration.

These milestones are considered capable of serving as the foundation for rebuilding a more inclusive and multipolar narrative of international law.

Meanwhile, Head of the Doctoral Law Program at the Faculty of Law, University of Brawijaya, Adi Kusumaningrum, emphasized that international law remains relevant for Indonesia as a country with a strategic geopolitical position.

“If the question is whether international law is still relevant, the answer is certainly yes. What needs to be distinguished is the relevance of international law from the effectiveness of its enforcement,” she said.

Adi explained that various international legal instruments, ranging from the United Nations Charter to international space law, continue to serve as important foundations in regulating international relations, armed conflicts, and global technological developments.

She added that Indonesia’s position at the crossroads of two continents and two oceans makes international law important for safeguarding national interests related to sovereignty, diplomacy, security, and humanitarian issues.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening international legal research in Indonesia in order to generate new perspectives and ideas that are more relevant to the needs of developing countries and the Global South.

Reporting by Indonesia Window