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(Dixon)
Subjects of international law are States and
non- State actors like individuals and
international organizations.
Subjects
Individuals Me
Non-States International
UN, ICJ, ICC
actors Organizations
(Dixon).
However:
Not all subjects of international law have the same rights, duties and capacities.
This means that, even if a diplomat commits a crime, he cannot be brought before
a foreign court to be prosecuted.
One State can bring a claim against another State before the International Court of
Justice to enforce its rights, an individual on his own cant bring a claim against a
State before the ICJ.
States have all the capacities mentioned above and individuals have only a few.
Question
Of the four examples that we discussed, which
ones are applicable to individuals?
Traditional Subjects of International Law
States are few and very different, which is a complicating factor and
explains in part the weakness of international law.
Therefore, for this reason, it was argued that the State of Palestine
cannot be regarded as valid state.
Why? The Palestinian organizations did not control any part of the
territory they claim.
However, note that there is no need for clearly defined boundaries. E.g.
Albania, prior to WWI was recognized by many countries as an
independent state, although its borders were in dispute. Similarly, Israel
has been accepted by the majority of nations, as well as the UN as a valid
state, although its borders have not been finally settled and despite its
involvement in hostilities with its Arab neighbors.
2. Permanent population
The existence of a permanent population is
naturally required and there is no specification
of a minimum number of inhabitants.
3. Effective government
politically important
legally relevant
Recognition is politically important because it
testifies to the will of recognizing states to
undertake international dealings with the new
state.
Legally relevant because
1) respect UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris, especially with regard to the
rule of law, democracy and human rights,
5) to commit to settle through negotiation and by agreement all questions regarding state
succession and regional disputes.
The Declaration stated that the Community and its members will withhold recognition in cases of
aggression.
Some states withhold recognition for a variety of reasons
(e.g. lack of political or ideological affinity; economic
interests), and the consequence being the inability of the
aspiring state and the non-recognizing state to enter into
international dealings (exchange diplomats, conclude
treaties etc.).
Another factors that has played a role has been the political nature
of the new government (democratic or not).
The notion of states recognizing the government
of another state has bothered some who view it
as an interference with a states internal affairs.
Estrada Doctrine 1930 (named after the Mexican
Foreign Secretary) states should not seek to
influence the outcome of an internal power
struggle by granting or withholding recognition.
Doctrine is invoked when states find it politically
difficult to publicly announce whether they
recognize a new government.