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Self-Determination and Humanitarian Secession in International Law of a Globalized World

Kosovo v. Crimea

  • Examins recent practice of States, studying comprehensively the cases of Kosovo and Crimea
  • Reviews the role of the concept of self-determination, of recognition, of the attributes of statehood in international law
  • Arguments for the admissibility of a status here termed ‘humanitarian secession’

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxx
  2. Introduction

    • Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa
    Pages 1-6
  3. Self-Determination and Secession Versus Territorial Integrity in International Law

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 7-7
    2. The Right to Self-Determination and Unilateral Secession

      • Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa
      Pages 35-50
  4. The Independence of Kosovo and Crimea in the Light of Contemporary International Law

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 51-51
    2. Kosovo’s Long Road to Independence in 2008

      • Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa
      Pages 53-79
    3. The Legality of the Secessions of Kosovo and Crimea

      • Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa
      Pages 107-135
  5. The Emergence of Humanitarian Secession as a Response to Humanitarian Crises

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 137-137
    2. Conclusion

      • Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa
      Pages 179-187
  6. Back Matter

    Pages 189-204

About this book

This book addresses questions in connection with the international legal regime on demands for secession, which have arisen in various States. More specifically, it examines the unilateral declarations of independence by Kosovo in 2008, and by Crimea and its subsequent annexation by the Russian Federation in 2014. The work investigates the two cases so as to shed light on the international legal regime affecting entities that are smaller than a sovereign State. It analyzes the relevant principles of international law, the intention being to determine their scope and review them in light of the most recent practice and developments in international law. 
In turn, the book examines and explains the events of relevance for international law that occurred in the changing situations in Kosovo and Crimea. On the basis of these legal considerations, it explores how the international community can respond when faced with situations that may violate international law, together with the effectiveness of various measures. It also discusses whether certain situations might be legitimate as a concept could now be emerging that secession may be justified in specific circumstances, such as serious and widespread violations of basic human rights.



Authors and Affiliations

  • Faculty of Law, University of Leon, Leon, Spain

    Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa

About the author

Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa is Associate Professor in Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Leon, Leon, Spain.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Self-Determination and Humanitarian Secession in International Law of a Globalized World

  • Book Subtitle: Kosovo v. Crimea

  • Authors: Juan Francisco Escudero Espinosa

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72622-9

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Law and Criminology, Law and Criminology (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2017

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-72621-2Published: 04 April 2018

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-10237-1Published: 09 December 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-72622-9Published: 24 March 2018

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XXX, 204

  • Topics: International Humanitarian Law, Law of Armed Conflict, International Relations, Human Rights

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access