International Journal of Law and Public Policy (IJLAPP)

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Thailand’s Sor Por Kor Land Reform Policy

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article critically examines the effectiveness of Thailand’s Sor Por Kor (SPK) land reform policy from the perspective of agrarian law. Designed to allocate state lands to landless farmers, the SPK program has undergone recent reforms, including the conversion of land use rights into full land titles. While these changes aim to enhance tenure security and rural productivity, this article argues that the legal and institutional design of SPK remains vulnerable to elite capture, environmental degradation, and deviation from agrarian justice principles. Employing a normative-legal and socio-legal approach, this study evaluates SPK’s compliance with key agrarian law principles: distributive justice, the social function of property, sustainable land governance, and legal empowerment. The analysis reveals that while SPK has expanded access to land, its implementation suffers from weak regulatory oversight, fragmented legal frameworks, and contradictory development agendas. Recommendations are proposed to realign the SPK policy with the broader objectives of agrarian justice and food sovereignty in the context of emerging global land and food crises.

Rethinking Rape Laws Emphasizes the Central Role of Consent in Shaping Both Legal Frameworks and Public Understanding

Stefano Bergman, Sophia Thunberg — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sexual violence remains a significant concern worldwide, leading many countries to reassess their legal definitions of rape. Sweden's 2018 legal reform redefined rape based on the absence of consent rather than the presence of force, marking a significant shift in legal and societal perspectives. This study aims to evaluate the impact of this legislative change by analyzing conviction rates, public perception, and challenges faced by legal professionals. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, conducted throughout 2023, involving 500 respondents across Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Data is collected through surveys, in-depth interviews with legal professionals, and court case analysis from three major district courts. Quantitative data is analyzed statistically to determine trends in conviction rates, while qualitative data undergoes thematic analysis. Findings reveal that conviction rates have increased from 15% in 2017 to 26% in 2023, indicating greater legal effectiveness. Public awareness surveys show 72% support for the consent-based definition, though concerns persist regarding the burden of proof and jury bias. Legal professionals highlight evidence challenges and victim reluctance to report cases, suggesting the need for further judicial training and legal support mechanisms. Future research should explore comparative analyses with other jurisdictions, assess long-term survivor experiences, and evaluate the effectiveness of legal education programs.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Indonesia’s Defense Policy for Strategic Decision-Making

Faisal Yusman, Yuli Kartiningsih, Alradix Djansena, Asep Adang Supriyadi — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The transformation of Indonesia's national defense policy in the digital era requires the integration of Artificial Intelligence as a strategic instrument to enhance analytical and decision-making capabilities. This study aims to formulate an AI-based defense policy framework that is responsive to the dynamics of modern threats, as well as to identify the challenges and opportunities in its implementation. The research method used is a qualitative approach through document study and policy analysis that includes national regulations, academic literature, and global practices. The results of the study indicate that Indonesia still faces a number of fundamental obstacles, such as the absence of a national ethics framework for military AI, low institutional readiness, and weak regulations related to the control of autonomous systems. This study recommends the establishment of a defense AI ethics council, revision of the defense legal framework to include intelligent technology, and the development of a collaborative roadmap across ministries. It is expected that the resulting policy will not only be adaptive to technological disruption, but also guarantee accountability and national sovereignty in the use of AI for strategic defense interests.

Comparative Legal Lessons from the 2015 and 2024 Riau Islands Gubernatorial Elections

Marsudi, Achmad Yani — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the persistent challenge of regulatory fragmentation in Indonesia’s decentralized electoral governance through a comparative legal analysis of the 2015 and 2024 gubernatorial elections in Riau Islands Province. Using a juridical-comparative approach combined with doctrinal legal analysis and process tracing, the research compares statutory frameworks, institutional coordination, and electoral outcomes. Data were drawn from official regulations, Provincial KPU reports, voter turnout statistics, and budget records. Findings show that while the 2024 election benefited from greater legal coherence than in 2015, unchecked subnational discretion most notably the reduction of polling stations from 4,654 to 3,327 resulted in lower voter turnout (77% to 54%) and reduced accessibility, particularly in remote archipelagic areas. The study argues that both normative misalignment and procedural discretion, when unbounded, undermine electoral inclusiveness and transparency. Theoretically, this article contributes to the discourse on legal pluralism and regulatory coherence by demonstrating how harmonization must integrate both legal standardization and procedural predictability. Practically, it proposes a unified Election Code, “bounded discretion” guidelines, and institutionalized inter-agency coordination to safeguard electoral integrity.

Offshore Wind Policy in Portugal Balancing Green Growth and Legal Equity

Ramalho-Santos Vaz, Silveirinha Neave, Pillinger Castelo Branco — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Portugal's ambitious plan to expand offshore wind capacity to 10 GW by 2030 positions the country as a frontrunner in Europe’s green energy transition. However, this rapid development raises pressing legal and policy challenges concerning environmental justice, public accountability, and governance. This study critically examines the legal framework and regulatory instruments that govern offshore wind projects in Portugal, particularly focusing on spatial planning, licensing procedures, and mechanisms of public participation. Using a doctrinal legal research method combined with policy analysis, this paper analyzes national legislation, EU directives, and recent regulatory practices, while integrating cases of contestation from coastal communities and environmental organizations. The findings reveal significant procedural gaps in public participation, particularly the exclusion of local fishing communities and municipal stakeholders from the zoning and licensing processes. Moreover, the current auction-based model privileges investment logic over environmental and social equity. The lack of independent environmental assessments and weak grievance mechanisms raise concerns about transparency, legal accountability, and compliance with the Aarhus Convention principles. This study argues that Portugal’s offshore wind transition, while environmentally progressive in ambition, requires stronger legal safeguards to ensure that it is also socially just and participatory. Recommendations are offered to improve the governance architecture toward a more inclusive and equitable energy policy.

An Urgent Need for Legal Safeguards for Freelancers in Vietnam

Thi Minh Hang Duong — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid expansion of Vietnam’s freelance workforce has outpaced the development of legal protections for freelancers, which highlights the urgent need for a coherent and inclusive legal approach to safeguard self-employed individuals in Vietnam’s evolving economy. This article examines the legal landscape governing freelancers in Vietnam, identifying critical gaps in current regulations that hinder the protection of freelancers’ rights with a focus on Labor Law and Civil Law. Drawing on international practices from Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands, the study proposes some recommendations to ensure fair treatment and strengthen Vietnam’s legal protections for self-employed workers.