The Faculty of Law at Diponegoro University once again held the Undip Global Classroom (UGC) with Prof. Rain Liivoja from the University of Queensland Law School as the keynote speaker. The event, held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, raised the theme “Jurisdiction and Immunities,” with M. Nafi Uz Zaman, S.H., M.H. as the discussant.
In his presentation, Prof. Liivoja emphasized that jurisdiction is a fundamental foundation of the international legal system, determining the extent to which a state can exercise its legal authority over individuals, events, or entities. However, this authority is not absolute, as it is limited by the principles of international law, including the recognition of the immunity of states and state officials.
As an academic with extensive experience in international law, the law of armed conflict, and international criminal law, Prof. Liivoja emphasized that the concept of immunity is not simply a legal exception, but rather part of the mechanism that maintains the stability of relations between states. The immunity of states and state officials serves to protect sovereignty and prevent unauthorized intervention by other states’ jurisdictions.
However, developments in international law demonstrate an increasingly apparent tension between the principle of immunity and demands for accountability. In the context of serious violations, such as international crimes, there is a growing push to limit or even eliminate immunity to ensure that perpetrators are not exempt from legal responsibility.
This discourse demonstrates that jurisdiction and immunity cannot be understood separately, but rather as two interacting concepts that often exist in a tense relationship. On the one hand, jurisdiction reflects state sovereignty to enforce the law; on the other, immunity limits that authority to maintain international order. Through this session, participants not only gained a conceptual understanding of jurisdiction and immunity but also explored how both concepts continue to evolve in response to global dynamics. These developments demand a more reflective approach to balancing state sovereignty with the need for accountability in international law.