Could a De Facto State Survive without External Help? The Case of Abkhazia

  • Kosiuk Ekaterina
doi: 10.32566/ah.2023.1.1

Absztrakt

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Georgian–Abkhazian war, Abkhazia proclaimed its independence; however, at that time none of the other states recognised its independence. Following the so-called Russo– Georgian war, Abkhazia was recognised by Russia and soon after by some other states. How did Abkhazians live during the period when the territory was not recognised internationally and how did life change after gaining some recognition? The aim of this article is to answer these questions, to trace changes after international recognition of Abkhazia and to consider future prospects for wider global recognition. The article also analyses Russian–Georgian relations that had a direct impact on Abkhazia. The article consists of six parts, which analyse the reasoning behind Abkhazian justifications for independence, the right to self-determination, analyse in detail the period of time when Abkhazia existed as an unrecognised and isolated state, and also consider the changes that occurred after Abkhazia was recognised by several countries. This paper analyses the legal and geopolitical aspects behind recognition of internationally disputed territories. The significant role of international organisations in supporting peace in the region is discussed, as well as humanitarian aid to Abkhazia during its isolation.

Kulcsszavak:

Abkhazia Georgia the right to self-determination human rights Russian–Georgian relations

Hogyan kell idézni

Kosiuk, E. (2023). Could a De Facto State Survive without External Help? The Case of Abkhazia. Acta Humana – Emberi Jogi Közlemények, 11(1), 7–32. https://doi.org/10.32566/ah.2023.1.1

Hivatkozások

Allison, Roy (2008): Russia Resurgent? Moscow’s Campaign to ‘Coerce Georgia to Peace’. International Affairs, 84(6), 1145–1171. Online: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2346.2008.00762.x

Anchabadze, Yuri – Argun, Yuri eds. (2012): Abkhazy. Moscow: Nauka.

Anchabadze, Zurab (1959): From the History of Medieval Abkhazia (6th–17th Centuries). Sukhumi: Abgosizdat. Annual report on the activities of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Abkhazia for 2018–2019. Online: https://ombudsmanra.org/upload/iblock/158/1588f1a7fe9ccbb552c204a002daccb2.pdf

BBC News (2008): Reaction to Russia’s Recognition of Rebels. BBC News, 26 August 2008. Online: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7582367.stm

Buchanan, Allen – Levinson, Elizabeth (2021): Secession. In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.): The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Online: https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2021/entries/secession

Burcu, G. Punsmann – Anjaparidze, Zaal – Avetisyan, Sos – Chania, Izida – Romashov, Vadim – Shirinov, Rashad (2016): Review of Isolation Policies Within and Around the South Caucasus. Caucasus Edition: Journal of Conflict Transformation, 18 July 2016.

Cassese, Antonio (1999): Self-Determination of Peoples. A Legal Reappraisal. Hersch Lauterpacht Memorial Lectures, Series Number 12. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Castellino, Joshua (2008): Territorial Integrity and the “Right” to Self-determination: An Examination of the Conceptual Tools. Brooklyn Journal of International Law, 33(2), 503–568.

Chirikba, Viacheslav (2008): The Georgian–Abkhazian Conflict: In Search of Ways Out. Abkhaz World, 15 October 2008. Online: https://abkhazworld.com/aw/conflict/731-the-georgianabkhazian-conflict-chirikba

Chirikba, Viacheslav (2009): The International Legal Status of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Light of International Law. Istanbul: Bilgi University.

CIS (1994): Декларация о соблюдении суверенитета, территориальной целостности и неприкосновенности границ государств-участников Содружества Независимых Государств [Declaration on Respect for Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and Inviolability of Borders of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States]. 15 April 1994. Online: https://docs.cntd.ru/document/1901148

Cohen, Jonathan ed. (1999): The Georgia–Abkhazia Peace Process. Accord Series Number 7. London: Conciliation Resources. Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia. April 2014. Online: http://presidentofabkhazia.org/upload/iblock/9b1Конституция_Республики_Абхазия_2015_03_31_13_14_23_110.pdf

Coppieters, Bruno – Nodia, Ghia – Anchabadze, Yuri (1998): Georgians and Abkhazians. The Search for a Peace Settlement. Köln: Bundesinstitut für ostwissenschaftliche und internationale Studien.

Coppieters, Bruno (2000): Western Security Policies and the Georgian–Abkhaz Conflict. Brussels: VUB Press.

Crawford, James R. (2007): The Creation of States in International Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/law/9780199228423.001.0001

De Waal, Thomas (2017): Enhancing the EU’s Engagement with Separatist Territories. Carnegie Europe, 12 April 2017. Online: https://carnegie.ru/2017/04/12/ru-pub-68650

Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, 1971. Online: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/202170?ln=en

Democracy & Freedom Watch (2014): McDonald’s to open restaurant in Abkhazia?’ Democracy & Freedom Watch, 14 January 2014. Online: https://dfwatch.net/mcdonalds-to-open-restaurantin-abkhazia-78881-25589

Deutch, David J. (2020): What Are Friends For?: ‘Groups of Friends’ and the UN System. Universal Rights Group, 31 March 2020. Online: https://www.universal-rights.org/blog/what-are-friends-forgroups-of-friends-and-the-un-system/

EC (1991): Declaration on the “Guidelines on the Recognition of New States in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union” and “Declaration on Yugoslavia”. Extraordinary European Political Committee Ministerial meeting, Press Release No. 128/91 and 129/91, Brussels, 16 December 1991.

European Court of Human Rights (2021): Case of Georgia v. Russia (II), Application no. 38263/08, January 2021.

Filippov, Mikhail (2009): Diversionary Role of the Georgia–Russia Conflict: International Constraints and Domestic Appeal. Europe–Asia Studies, 61(10), 1825–1847. Online: https://doi.org/10.1080/09668130903278975

Freedom House (2020): Report on Abkhazia 2020. Online: https://freedomhouse.org/country/abkhazia/freedom-world/2021

Gellner, Ernest (1983): Nations and Nationalism. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

Gerrits, Andre W. M. – Bader, Max (2016): Russian Patronage over Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Implications for Conflict Resolution. East European Politics, 32(3), 297–313. Online: https://doi.org/10.1080/21599165.2016.1166104

Griffioen, Christine (2010): Self-determination as a Human Right. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.

Hannum, Hurst (1990): Autonomy, Sovereignty, and Self-Determination. The Accommodation of Conflicting Rights. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Hewitt, Brian George (1996): Abkhazia: A Problem of Identity and Ownership. In Wright, John F. R. –Goldenberg, Suzanne – Schofield, Richard N. (eds.): Transcaucasian Boundaries. London: UCL Press. 190–226. Online: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203214473_chapter_NINE

Hilpold, Peter (2009): The Kosovo Case and International Law: Looking for Applicable Theories. Chinese Journal of International Law, 8(1), 47–61. Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/chinesejil/jmn042

Human Rights Watch (1995): Georgia/Abkhazia: Violations of the Laws of War and Russia’s Role in the Conflict. 1 March 1995. Online: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a8274.html

ICRC Special Report (2001): Georgia: Paradise Lost. May 2001. Online: https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/georgia_special_report%5b1%5d.pdf

International Court of Justice (2009): Written Statement by the Russian Federation. Kosovo, Advisory Opinion, April 2009.

International Court of Justice (2010): Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Respect of Kosovo. Advisory Opinion of 22 July 2010.

JAM News (2021): Several Countries Urged Russia to Withdraw Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. JAM News, 06 August 2021. Online: https://jam-news.net/seven-states-urge-russia-towithdraw-recognition-of-abkhazia-and-south-ossetia/

Knop, Karen (2002): Diversity and Self-determination in International Law. Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law, Series Number 20. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Kukolevskiy, Alexander (2010): $644 млрд — цена признания Абхазии и Южной Осетии [$644 Billion Is the Price of Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia]. Kommersant, 18 January 2010. Online: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1305441

Lakoba, Stanislav (2001): Abkhazia de facto or de jure? Sapporo: Slavic Research Center, Hokkaido University. Law on the Procedure for Resolving Issues Related to the Withdrawal of the Union Republic from the USSR, 1990. Online: https://www.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/online.cgi?req=doc&base=ESU&n=6#kj8HopSmA8EedzC7

Lomsadze, Giorgi (2014): Abkhazia: Can McDonald’s Play a Role in Conflict Resolution? Eurasianet, 15 January 2014. Online: https://eurasianet.org/abkhazia-can-mcdonalds-play-arole-in-conflict-resolution

MacFarlane, Neil (1999): The Role of the UN. In Cohen, Jonathan (ed.): The Georgia–Abkhazia Peace Process. Accord Series Number 7. London: Conciliation Resources. 36–41.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (2019): ICAO Considers the Sokhumi Airport Part of Georgian Airspace. Online: https://mfa.gov.ge/News/ICAO-shi-saqartvelos-mudmivmcarmomadgenels-kidev.aspx?lang=en-US

Mirzayev, Farhad (2014): Abkhazia. In Walter, Christian – von Ungern-Sternberg, Antje – Abushov, Kavus (eds.): Self-Determination and Secession in International Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 191–213. Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198702375.003.0010

Moore, Margaret (1998): National Self-Determination and Secession. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/0198293844.001.0001

Murinson, Alexander (2004): The Secessions of Abkhazia and Nagorny Karabagh. The Roots and Patterns of Development of Post‐Soviet Micro‐Secessions in Transcaucasia. Central Asian Survey, 23(1), 5–26. Online: https://doi.org/10.1080/02634930410001711152

Napi Online (2008): Amennyire vonakodott Koszovó esetében az igennel, annyira kapkod most Dél-Oszétia és Abházia esetében a nemmel a külügyminisztérium. Napi Online, 27 August 2008. Online: https://www.napi.hu/magyar-gazdasag/megkesett-sietseg-a-kormanytol.379205.html

Nikolsky, Alexey (2012): Признание независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии [Recognition of the Independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia]. RIA Novosti, 26 August 2012. Online: https://ria.ru/20120826/729874673.html

Raič, David (2002): Statehood and the Law of Self-Determination. The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.

Ryngaert, Cedric – Griffioen, Christine (2009): The Relevance of the Right to Self-determination in the Kosovo Matter: In Partial Response to the Agora Papers. Chinese Journal of International Law, 8(3), 573–587. Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/chinesejil/jmp021

Souleimanov, Emil A. – Abrahamyan, Eduard – Aliyev, Huseyn (2018): Unrecognized States as a Means of Coercive Diplomacy? Assessing the Role of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Russia’s Foreign Policy in the South Caucasus. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 18(1), 73–86. Online: https://doi.org/10.1080/14683857.2017.1390830

The USSR Central Referendum Commission (1991): Сообщение Центральной комиссии референдума СССР Об итогах референдума СССР, состоявшегося 17 марта 1991 года [Report on the Results of the USSR Referendum Held on 17 March 1991]. Online: https://www.gorby.ru/userfiles/file/referendum_rezultat.pdf

Tran, Mark (2008): Russia Defies West by Recognising Georgian Rebel Regions. The Guardian, 26 August 2008. Online: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/26/russia.georgia1

United Nations (1996): Deputy Special Envoy for Georgia Opens Human Rights Office in Sukhumi, Abkhazia, Georgia. 10 December 1996. Online: https://www.un.org/press/en/1996/19961210.sgsm6125.html

United Nations (2006): UNOMIG Mandate. Online: https://peacekeeping.un.org/mission/past/unomig/mandate.html

Van den Driest, Simone F. (2013): Remedial Secession. A Right to External Self-Determination as a Remedy to Serious Injustices. Antwerpen: Intersentia.

Vidmar, Jure (2021): International Legal Responses to Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence. Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, 42(3), 779–851.

Walter, Christian – von Ungern-Sternberg, Antje – Abushov, Kavus (2014): Self-Determination and Secession in International Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198702375.001.0001

Letöltések

Letölthető adat még nem áll rendelkezésre.