Recognition of States by International Organizations and the Principle of Self-Determination of Peoples

Abstract

The recognition of States is an institution of Public International Law whereby a State recognizes a political entity that enjoys the constituent elements of a State (population, territory, government and sovereignty) as such. In practice, the recognition of new States is not exclusive to States as other subjects of international law and international organizations can do it (collective recognition), producing legal effects at the international level, through the admission of these new states as members of their organization, or, in the case of the United Nations, through its resolutions. The purpose of the following article is to analyze the topic of the international recognition of States created under the principle of self-determination the case of Kosovo and Crimea by international organizations, replying to the question whether or not United Nations resolutions regarding the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and Crimea imply the recognition of those selfproclaimed states.