How to Comment on Crimea's "Self-Determination"? Cover Image

Kırım'ın "Self-Determinasyonu" Nasıl Yorumlanabilir?
How to Comment on Crimea's "Self-Determination"?

Author(s): Ceren Gürseler Özbilgiç
Subject(s): Politics, Geography, Regional studies, Governance, Identity of Collectives
Published by: Karadeniz Araştırmaları Merkezi
Keywords: self-determination; autonomy; Russia; Crimea; Kosovo;

Summary/Abstract: Political events in Ukraine resulted in Crimea’s self-determination. Its separation from Ukraine and unification with Russia caused criticisms. This situation is stemmed from tense relations between Russia and West and from the problematic structure of self-determination. In their official declarations, Crimea’s and Russia’s reference to Kosovo’s self-determination leads to question Kosovo and self-determination. Examples of Kosovo and Crimea are different from and against the right of self-determination that has widespread acceptance in international law. Both instances have common elements. Previously, internal self-determination options like autonomy were tried to be implemented but they were not successful. Kosovo and Crimea preferred to use option of external self-determination. Through addition of political conditions, opportunity is offered to choose secession via self-determination. This situation indicates that internal self-determination options have to be enhanced and the ones who want to alter current character of the right have to focus on right’s internal options.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 43
  • Page Range: 87-115
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: Turkish