Critical Views on Principle of uti possidetis

• Main Author: Farhad Sabir Oglu Mirzayev
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) 2015-03-01
• Series: Московский журнал международного права
• Subjects: uti possidetis; критика uti possidetis; принцип международного права; пограничные и территориальные споры и конфликты; практика государств; critics of uti possidetis; principle of international law; boundary and territorial disputes and conflicts; state practice
• Online Access: https://www.mjil.ru/jour/article/view/69
• ISSN: 0869-0049; 2619-0893

The paper deals with analysis of critical views on uti possidetis principle by various doctrines of international law. Four key arguments of critical approaches to uti possidetis principle are reviewed therein: (i) the principles’ conflict with self-determination; (ii) its limitation to decolonisation processes; (iii) its controversial nature due to existence of two forms, uti possidetis de jure and uti possidetis de facto and (iv) lack of grounds to be accepted as a norm of customary international law. The relevant counterarguments are produced against critical views on uti possidetis principle.