The Application of International Human Rights Law in De Facto States

Type: Text

Title: The Application of International Human Rights Law in De Facto States

Creator: Lucia Leontiev

DOI: 10.15457/cp_1_59-71

Date of Publication: 19.02.2018

License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Language: English

Availability: Download

Description: This paper aims to explore whether and, if so, on what basis international human rights law applies to de facto territorial entities such as ex-Soviet Union de facto states. The paper first defines de facto states, which is followed by a short presentation of their status under international law. The paper then argues that despite their unrecognised status under international law, de facto territorial entities have human rights obligations, and they are required to respect and protect human rights. The article concludes by stating that because the existence of the de facto states cannot be denied, the international community should grant them a legal personality. This measure would ensure the protection of human rights and the liability for human rights violations that occur in these territories.

Geographical Area: Moldova, Transnistria, Soviet Union

Keywords: human rights, de facto states, legal personality, protection, liability

Structured recordings: Relitz, Sebastian (ed.): Obstacles and Opportunities for Dialogue and Cooperation in Protracted Conflicts. Regensburg: Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS), 2018. ISBN: 978-3-945232-01-9. http://doi.org/10.15457/cp_1.

Citation: Leontiev, Lucia (2018): The Application of International Human Rights Law in De Facto States. Version: 1. Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS). Text. http://doi.org/10.15457/cp_1_59-71.