Recognition of a State, International Law Note (part-2)

Recognition of a State    

A state acknowledgment or acceptance as an international personality by the existing State of the international community. The declaration to fulfill certain essential conditions of Statehood as required by International Law.

Essentials of Recognition of a State                                        

• 1. Population;                                                                                                                                            
• 2. Territory;                                                                                                 
• 3. Government;               
• 4. Sovereignty;                                                                                                                                              

5. Control should tend towards permanency.                                                                                                If these conditions are fulfilled, then the State can be recognized.

Kelson’s view on the recognition of states                                                                                     

For a state to be recognized the following conditions must be fulfilled-                                                                       

• 1, Must be politically organized.                                              
• 2, Have control over a definite territory.                                                                       
• 3, Must be permanent.       
• 4, Must be independent

Process of Recognition      

The state is not only an institution with international legal standing but they are the primary subject of International Law and possess the greatest range of rights and obligations.

A mixture of fact and law and the establishment of particular factual conditions and compliance with relevant rules are the process of creating new States.                                                                

States are not bound to recognize new claimants of Statehood and make it a positive duty to recognize a State. 

Recognition is mainly a matter of intention.

Israel-Palestine Dispute                                                                                                                        

In this dispute, India did not recognize Israel till 1999 and also South Africa till 1991 due to racism. Even though India got military support from Israel, still it didn’t recognize Israel. Where both the countries had all the parameters under Montevideo Convention.                   

But Palestine got limited recognition by countries because it had a large Jewish population.

Political Recognition of State                                       

Political act in recognition is used to support or reject a state or a government that is new in an international community.                                  

A mixture of fact and law and the establishment of particular factual conditions and compliance with relevant rules are the process of creating new States.            

 Criteria of Statehood are laid down in the Montevideo Convention, which provides that State must have a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to conduct International relations.   

Recognition of State is a political act based on interest and assessment made by States individually, but legal arguments are important. 

Montevideo Convention          

To consider a State as an international person, the State should adhere to the following qualifications

• 1. Permanent
• 2. Population;            
• 3. Definite Territory;  
• 4. Government;
• 5. Capacity to enter into relations with other States

Theories of Recognition 

There are two theories of recognition- 1. Constructive Theory,  2. Declarative Theory.

Recognition of a new State                                                                                               

Recognition specifies the willingness of recognizing the State. The existing State is a member of the International Community that will deal with a new State. Under International law it allows the recognized State to exercise the rights and duties of the State. Recognition of the Government automatically involved in 

De Facto Recognition  

De Facto Recognition is mostly granted to governments.   

It is a temporary recognition of a State, this can be conditional or without any condition.   

This mode of recognition is granted when a new State holds a sufficient territory or control over a particular territory, but the other existing states consider that when they don’t have enough stability or any other unsettlement issues. So we can take it as a test of control for newly formed States.

The UK first recognized Soviet Government as de-facto recognition in 1921 and later recognized as de-jure in 1924.

De Jure Recognition  

De Jure Recognition is given to a new State when a new State fulfills all the essential characteristics of a State. De Jure recognition can directly be granted to a State who has or has not granted de-facto recognition. The newborn States grant the permanent status as a sovereign State through the de-jure mode of recognition.

Difference between De Facto and De Jure Recognition

Withdrawal of De Facto Recognition    

Under International Law, when a State has De Facto recognition but fails to obtain or fulfill the essential conditions then the recognition can be withdrawn.  

The recognition can be withdrawn through declaration or through communication with the authorities of the recognized State. It can also be withdrawn by issuing a public statement.

Withdrawal of De Jure Recognition     

Withdrawal of De Jure recognition is a debatable topic under International Law. Withdrawal of this recognition comes under an exception    

This recognition can be withdrawn when a State loses the essential elements or under other circumstances.