{"id":35035,"date":"2026-11-01T11:52:35","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T11:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=35035"},"modified":"2026-11-01T11:56:52","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T11:56:52","slug":"individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Individuals as Subjects of International Law: Rights, Duties and Legal Status"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"h-introduction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traditionally, states were regarded as the only subjects of international law. Individuals were treated merely as objects whose rights and duties were protected or enforced through their respective States.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Meaning_and_Legal_Status_of_Individuals\" >Meaning and Legal Status of Individuals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Rights_of_Individuals_under_International_Law\" >Rights of Individuals under International Law<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Human_Rights\" >Human Rights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Right_to_International_Protection\" >Right to International Protection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Right_to_Approach_International_Bodies\" >Right to Approach International Bodies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Rights_under_International_Humanitarian_Law\" >Rights under International Humanitarian Law<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Right_to_Reparation\" >Right to Reparation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Duties_and_Responsibilities_of_Individuals_under_International_Law\" >Duties and Responsibilities of Individuals under International Law<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#War_Crimes\" >War Crimes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Genocide\" >Genocide<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Crimes_against_Humanity\" >Crimes against Humanity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Crime_of_Aggression\" >Crime of Aggression<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#General_Duty_to_Respect_International_Law\" >General Duty to Respect International Law<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Important_International_Cases\" >Important International Cases<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Nuremberg_Trials_1945%E2%80%9346\" >Nuremberg Trials (1945\u201346)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Mavrommatis_Palestine_Concessions_Case_Greece_v_United_Kingdom_1924\" >Mavrommatis Palestine Concessions Case (Greece v. United Kingdom, 1924)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#LaGrand_Case_Germany_v_United_States_of_America_2001\" >LaGrand Case (Germany v. United States of America, 2001)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Prosecutor_v_Tadic_ICTY_1995\" >Prosecutor v. Tadi\u0107 (ICTY, 1995)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Role_of_the_International_Criminal_Court_ICC\" >Role of the International Criminal Court (ICC)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the progressive development of international law, this position has changed significantly. Today, individuals enjoy certain rights under international law and can also be held directly responsible for violating specific international rules. Consequently, individuals are now recognised as limited or partial subjects of international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-meaning-and-legal-status-of-individuals\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meaning_and_Legal_Status_of_Individuals\"><\/span>Meaning and Legal Status of Individuals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A subject of international law is an entity that possesses rights and duties under international law and has the capacity to enforce those rights or to bear responsibility for their violation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individuals do not enjoy the same legal status as states. Their international legal personality is limited; they can exercise only those rights and duties expressly recognised by international law. Nevertheless, modern international law acknowledges individuals as important participants in the international legal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-rights-of-individuals-under-international-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rights_of_Individuals_under_International_Law\"><\/span>Rights of Individuals under International Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International law grants several rights to individuals, primarily through treaties, conventions and customary international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-human-rights\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Human_Rights\"><\/span>Human Rights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individuals enjoy fundamental rights such as the right to life, liberty, equality, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and protection against torture and discrimination. These rights are recognised under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 (ICCPR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-right-to-international-protection\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Right_to_International_Protection\"><\/span>Right to International Protection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International law protects individuals against unlawful treatment by their own state as well as by foreign states. Refugees, for instance, receive protection under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-right-to-approach-international-bodies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Right_to_Approach_International_Bodies\"><\/span>Right to Approach International Bodies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individuals may submit complaints to certain international bodies. Under the First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, individuals can bring communications before the Human Rights Committee, subject to the prescribed conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-rights-under-international-humanitarian-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rights_under_International_Humanitarian_Law\"><\/span>Rights under International Humanitarian Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During armed conflicts, civilians, prisoners of war and wounded combatants enjoy protection under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-right-to-reparation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Right_to_Reparation\"><\/span>Right to Reparation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Victims of certain international wrongs may obtain compensation or other forms of reparation through international mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-duties-and-responsibilities-of-individuals-under-international-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Duties_and_Responsibilities_of_Individuals_under_International_Law\"><\/span>Duties and Responsibilities of Individuals under International Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Modern international law not only confers rights but also imposes direct duties and responsibilities on individuals. They may be held personally accountable for serious international crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-war-crimes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"War_Crimes\"><\/span>War Crimes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individuals who commit serious violations of the laws and customs of war may be prosecuted for war crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-genocide\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Genocide\"><\/span>Genocide<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948, individuals responsible for genocide may be punished irrespective of their official position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-crimes-against-humanity\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Crimes_against_Humanity\"><\/span>Crimes against Humanity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individuals who commit widespread or systematic attacks directed against any civilian population may be held personally responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-crime-of-aggression\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Crime_of_Aggression\"><\/span>Crime of Aggression<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Political and military leaders may incur individual criminal responsibility for planning, preparing, initiating or executing an act of aggression, subject to the applicable legal requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-general-duty-to-respect-international-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General_Duty_to_Respect_International_Law\"><\/span>General Duty to Respect International Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individuals are under a duty to respect international rules concerning human rights, humanitarian law and other applicable obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-important-international-cases\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Important_International_Cases\"><\/span>Important International Cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several judicial decisions have affirmed that individuals possess rights and duties under international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-nuremberg-trials-1945-46\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nuremberg_Trials_1945%E2%80%9346\"><\/span>Nuremberg Trials (1945\u201346)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The International Military Tribunal held that individuals, including government officials and military leaders, could be personally punished for international crimes. It famously declared that \u201ccrimes against international law are committed by men, not by abstract entities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-mavrommatis-palestine-concessions-case-greece-v-united-kingdom-1924\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mavrommatis_Palestine_Concessions_Case_Greece_v_United_Kingdom_1924\"><\/span>Mavrommatis Palestine Concessions Case (Greece v. United Kingdom, 1924)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Permanent Court of International Justice observed that when a state espouses the claim of its nationality, it is in reality asserting its own rights. The case illustrates the traditional system of diplomatic protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-lagrand-case-germany-v-united-states-of-america-2001\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"LaGrand_Case_Germany_v_United_States_of_America_2001\"><\/span>LaGrand Case (Germany v. United States of America, 2001)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The International Court of Justice held that Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations creates individual rights for detained foreign nationals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-prosecutor-v-tadic-icty-1995\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prosecutor_v_Tadic_ICTY_1995\"><\/span>Prosecutor v. Tadi\u0107 (ICTY, 1995)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia confirmed individual criminal responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law, even in the absence of a formal state structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-role-of-the-international-criminal-court-icc\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Role_of_the_International_Criminal_Court_ICC\"><\/span>Role of the International Criminal Court (ICC)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The establishment of the International Criminal Court under the Rome Statute, 1998, marks a significant development in recognising individuals as subjects of international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Court has jurisdiction over four core international crimes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Genocide<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crimes against humanity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>War crimes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crime of aggression<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ICC can prosecute individuals, including political and military leaders, irrespective of their official capacity, thereby reinforcing the principle of individual criminal responsibility under international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-conclusion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The status of individuals in international law has evolved from that of mere objects to limited subjects possessing recognised rights and duties. They enjoy protection under international human rights and humanitarian law and may be held personally accountable for serious international crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although individuals do not possess the full legal personality of States, their expanding rights, duties and responsibilities have made them important actors in the contemporary international legal order. International law is no longer concerned solely with states; it also addresses the rights and responsibilities of individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links yoast-seo-related-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/protecting-women-and-children-posh-pocso-india\/\">Protecting the Vulnerable: A Comparative Analysis of the POSH Act and POCSO Act in India<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/international-law-double-standards-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza\/\">Selective Justice: The Double Standard in the Application of International Law to Gaza and Ukraine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/international-criminal-court-effectiveness-in-prosecuting-crimes\/\">International Criminal Court and Its Effectiveness in Prosecuting Crimes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/icj-rohingya-genocide-case-gambia-v-myanmar\/\">ICJ Rohingya Genocide Case: Gambia v. Myanmar &amp; India<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/germany-nicaragua-icj-case-arms-transfers-genocide-state-responsibility\/\">Can Supplying Weapons Make a State Responsible for Genocide? Germany\u2013Nicaragua ICJ Case Explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Traditionally, states were regarded as the only subjects of international law. Individuals were treated merely as objects whose rights and duties were protected or enforced through their respective States. With the progressive development of international law, this position has changed significantly. Today, individuals enjoy certain rights under international law and can also be held<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[355],"class_list":["post-35035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-international-law","tag-international-law"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.8 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Individuals as Subjects of International Law: Rights, Duties and Legal Status - Legal Service India - Articles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore the rights, duties and legal status of individuals under international law, landmark cases, human rights and the role of the ICC.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Individuals as Subjects of International Law: Rights, Duties and Legal Status\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore the rights, duties and legal status of individuals under international law, landmark cases, human rights and the role of the ICC.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/individuals-as-subjects-of-international-law-rights-duties-and-legal-status\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Legal Service India - Articles\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-11-01T11:52:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-11-01T11:56:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Md. 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