Secessionist Criminals’: An Obstruction To The Full Realisation Of The Right To Self-Determination

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL FORM ........................................................................................................... i

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ................................................................................................................. iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. iv

LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................... vii

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Background of Study ...................................................................................................... 2

1.2.1 Spain ........................................................................................................................... 2

1.2.2 Zambia ........................................................................................................................ 4

1.2.3 Zimbabwe ................................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Problem Statement......................................................................................................... 6

1.4 Research Objectives ........................................................................................................ 7

1.5 Research Methodology ................................................................................................... 8

1.6 Delimitations of Study ................................................................................................... 8

1.7 Significance of Study ...................................................................................................... 8

1.8 Chapter Synopsis ........................................................................................................... 9

CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................ 11

2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 11

2.2 The right to self-determination in international law ........................................................ 11

2.3 Internal self-determination……………………………………………………………12

x | P a g e

2.4. Legal nature and scope of the right to self-determination ................................................. 14

2.4.1.1 The collective nature of the right .............................................................................. 14

2.4.2.2 The concept of ‘peoples’ ........................................................................................... 14

2.4.2.3 The permanent character of the right ........................................................................ 16

2.4.2.4 Enforcement of the right .......................................................................................... 17

2.5Self-determination within the colonial context ................................................................. 18

2.6 Self-determination beyond the colonial context ............................................................... 19

2.7 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 20

CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................ 22

3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 22

3.2 External self-determination (Secession) in International Law ................................... 22

3.3 International Community & Secessionist Movements ..................................................... 24

3.3.1 Lack of state practice & opinio juris establishing the right to secede ................................ 24

3.3.2 Assessment of state behaviour towards secession ........................................................... 25

3.3.2.1 Katanga .................................................................................................................. 25

3.3.2.2 Chechnya ............................................................................................................... 25

3.3.2.3 South Sudan .......................................................................................................... 26

3.4 Secession vis-a-viz territorial integrity and uti possidetis .................................................. 27

3.4.1 Territorial Integrity ................................................................................................... 28

3.4.2 Uti possidetis ............................................................................................................ 28

3.4.2.1 The Arbitral Award in the Maritime Boundary between Guinea-Bissau and Senegal Arbitration and Case [Guinea-Bissau v Senegal] .................................................................. 29