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Samenvatting Introduction to International and EU law nabespreking probleem 1
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Introduction to International and EU law nabespreking probleem 1
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International and European Union Law reportingproblem 1
Learning objectives:
- What is self-determination and what are the conditions thereof?
- Is a declaration of independence lawful under international law?
- Is secession lawful under international law?
- In which way is the succession of rights and duties of (new) states arranged?
Literature
- International Law by Henriksen 4.2.5 and 4.2.7
- Case Law: Accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of
independence in respect of Kosovo
- Webcasts
What is self-determination and what are the conditions
thereof?
Self-determination: the right of all people to freely determine their political status and
economic, social and cultural development. This is a fundamental principle. This principle
can be found in art. 1 UN Charter and resolutions from the General Assembly and art. 1 in
the 1966 UN Covenant on Human Rights.
Most controversial aspect: gives a section of a population a right to secede from an existing
state in the absence of acceptance by the government of the mother-state.
This principle is divided into internal self-determination and external self-determination:
- Internal self-determination means that people can exercise their autonomy within
the framework of a mother State. Think of Scotland, provinces in the Netherlands etc.
All of these substates enjoy a certain level of autonomy: they have their own
government, sub-parliament and they contribute to define the general directions of
the politics. The people of the Netherlands can vote for local and national
representation. So, they can exercise their autonomy within the framework of the
State. They can determine their political status and economic, social and cultural
development within their State and the State acknowledges a certain level of
autonomy to these entities and guarantees that these people are represented
nationally and that they can define their economic, social and cultural life within the
State.
- External self-determination means that there is a claim to statehood; to become a
separate entity from the mother State. The idea is that the determination of the
political status is not to exercise autonomy internally, but rather to attain a higher level
and become a separate State. For example: Friesland wants to become a separate
State from the Netherlands. However, does the mere existence of the principle
provide the claim to all people to do so, to secede (separate) from the mother State
and become an independent State? Here is a lot of debate about. Most scholars,
, case law and international practice tend to agree that people who are under colonial
rule or are under alien subjugation (under control of a foreign State) can claim
external self-determination. For example: African territories who were colonized by
the British had a valid claim to become an independent State. There is a debate
whether this also applies to other people. There seems to be a level of agreement
when it comes to remedial secession in those cases where there is an extreme
denial for some people within the population of a State to meaningfully exercise self-
determination. For example: during the apartheid in South-Africa. During this period
South-Africa was ruled by the white elite. Black people were discriminated, didn’t
have the chance to be represented by the State organs, they couldn’t participate in
the government etc. In these extreme cases of oppression, denial from meaningfully
exercise autonomy, internal self-determination, representation than remedial
secession, separation that offers a remedy from suffering, is somewhat admitted
under international law. This is so difficult, because there needs to be a balance
between the right of people to have their own State and the maintenance of
international peace and stability. This is reflective in the principle of territorial
integrity.
When the people of the mother State can meaningfully exercise their internal self-
determination they can’t secede from the mother State, because if they can freely exercise
their internal autonomy, they can meaningfully exercise the right to internal self-
determination. This is sufficient enough under internal law. Their needs to be a valid claim to
secede.
Does the principle provide a claim for all people to secede and become an independent
state?
- Claim for people under colonial rule and other people who find themselves subject to
alien subjugation, domination or exploitation have a right to external self-
determination that may entitle them to create their own independent state.
- It is very doubtful whether people who are neither colonized nor subject to alien
subjugation, domination or exploitation can claim a right to external self-determination
and thus be entitled to secede. Some argue for the existence of an additional right to
secede for people in cases of extreme oppression and the almost total denial of
meaningful internal self-determination, but than that would require truly exceptional
circumstances.
2 important points concerning the right to self-determination:
1. An affirmed right to external self-determination doesn’t have to lead to a claim for
secession. People with a right to a statehood may decide that their interests as
people is best presented by remaining within an existing state.
For example: Greenland. The people of Greenland preferred to remain part of
the kingdom of Denmark but with extensive self-rule.
2. International law does not prevent a mother-state from consenting to the secession of
part of its territory.
For example: The 2014 referendum in Scotland on potential Scottish
independence from the UK was arranged after the British government had
accepted that Scotland could potentially leave the Union if they wished so.
Erga omnes: this means "towards all" or "towards everyone". In legal terminology, erga
omnes means that rights or obligations are owed toward all. This is a characteristic of the
right to self-determination.
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