Introduction: fragmentation and normative conflicts

The study on "fragmentation of international law" by the International Law Commission focuses on normative conflicts that illustrate the expanding scope of international law but may challenge the coherence of the international legal system. The issue has arisen owing to the emergence of a number of closely integrated sets of rules of international law pertaining to particular subject-areas such as human rights, the environment, trade, international crimes, and so on. Such sets often combine specific primary rules (rules laying down particular rights and obligations) with specific ...