List of unrecognized and partially recognized states. Unrecognized states in the world

UN member states not recognized by at least one UN member state Non-UN member states recognized by at least one UN member state States that are not members of the UN and are recognized only by states that are not members of the UN States that are not members of the UN and do not have recognition

Unrecognized and partially recognized states- polities that have declared themselves sovereign states and have such signs of statehood as the presence of a name (indicated as official), attributes (state symbols), population, control over territory, governance system (including leadership, authorities, often armed forces) and rights (including a constitution and other organizational documents), but at the same time do not have diplomatic recognition, and their territory is usually regarded by UN member states as being under the sovereignty of one or more UN member states. Unrecognized and partially recognized states may be characterized by states and/or international organizations that do not recognize them as separatist entities, breakaway regions, or occupied territories.

Often these polities are united by the common concept “ unrecognized states", however, such a designation is not entirely accurate in cases where such a polity has received a certain diplomatic recognition (even if insignificant) - in this regard, the category is distinguished partially recognized states, which include polities that do not have the opportunity to join the UN, but are recognized as states by UN member states (although there is also a narrower definition of this concept), thus, their participation in international relations is limited by the legal field of the states that recognize them.

Although the United Nations as such does not have the right to recognize or not recognize states, UN membership in modern system international relations has become the most important symbol of universal recognition of statehood, a kind of “gold standard” of international legitimacy. At the same time, a state can be considered as internationally recognized even if it is outside the ranks of UN member states (like Switzerland until 2002). In addition, a number of UN member states are not recognized by some other UN member states.

Unrecognized states should be distinguished from virtual states - entities proclaimed by states, which, however, do not have the necessary characteristics of states.

The emergence of unrecognized and partially recognized states

The main way for the emergence of unrecognized and partially recognized states is the unilateral (that is, contrary to the will of the central authorities of the state) separation of part of its territory from the state. Necessary elements for achieving secession include the presence of a separate community that threatens to secede from the state of which it belongs, the geographical territory within which the separatists intend to proclaim a separate state, the presence of this group political leadership, speaking with separatist demands and organizing actions aimed at separating the territory, as well as the disagreement of this community with the prevailing order of things in the country, motivating it to advocate for appropriate changes. An additional factor may be timing: separatists prefer to begin the struggle for secession in conditions of weakness of the central power of the state (especially during an acute internal political struggle in it). As a rule, separatists encounter resistance from the center, which seeks to preserve the state in its previous form, including with the use of armed force (which, however, may be a response to the actions of the separatists). A special case of uncoordinated secession is the seizure by a foreign state of the territory of another state, with the creation of occupied territory a new protected (or even puppet) state; such entities (due to their “aggressive origin”) face almost insurmountable difficulties in obtaining recognition - like other entities generated as a result of an “illegal act” (in particular, among the “birth defects” of secessionist states that particularly prevent their recognition, includes, in addition to external aggression, the implementation of discriminatory policies, as in the case of Rhodesia).

Although most often secession is aimed specifically at the formation of an independent statehood, in some cases independence is not an end in itself: for example, some communities seek to secede from one state in order to join another.

Along with self-proclaimed states of separatist origin, there are also “non-secessionist disputed states”, which - even if they have some recognition - are not considered as having separated from the “big country”. Thus, at the end of the civil war in China, the People's Republic of China was proclaimed, but as a result of the war, its control was established not over all of China, but over its continental part, while Taiwan and a number of adjacent islands remained under the control of the Republic of China, which represented China in the UN until, and after that actually being a partially recognized state. Both governments consider themselves to be the governments of all of China, and the opponent is considered "rebellious territories"; in fact, in this case the question is not so much about recognition of the state, but about recognition government, although in the case of direct declaration of independence from China, Taiwan would become a classic, “secessionist disputed state.”

Properties of unrecognized and partially recognized states

First of all, unrecognized and partially recognized states have a territory, the boundaries of which are the limits within which the power of the government is exercised. The boundaries of this territory do not necessarily have to be “finally settled”, however, these boundaries (at least their status) are controversial in one fundamental aspect: since the statehood of these polities is not recognized, accordingly, their borders are not recognized as a legal and legitimate delimitation with By other states, on the contrary, the territory of unrecognized and partially recognized states is widely considered as an integral part of internationally recognized states.

In addition, unrecognized and partially recognized states have a population. At the same time, on the one hand, there is a widespread opinion that the mere presence of a population in a certain territory is not sufficient and the government of a self-proclaimed state must come to power on the basis of “local potential” and “have popular support" (although this criterion does not postulate either support for secession everyone population of the territory nor the presence of a democratic system in the self-proclaimed state). On the other hand, there is an opinion that the question of population support for secession from a large country “is more of a political than legal nature.”

Governments of unrecognized and partially recognized states may well meet the criterion of effectiveness in the matter of control over their territory and its population, but their right to govern is also not recognized, which directly follows from the non-recognition of their declared statehood; Having actual, “empirical” statehood, the disputed state does not have “legal statehood” provided by external recognition. By definition, the sovereignty (independence) of unrecognized and partially recognized states is controversial. As a rule, they have full interior sovereignty, removed themselves from the “external” constitutional field and enshrined this independence in their constitutions, but internationally recognized states dispute their right to create and maintain their own institutions of power, separate from the original states. .

In addition, often the requirement of “efficiency” is associated not simply with ability self-proclaimed government to control its affairs, but in order to that's what it really did, that is, it had real independence. The absence of such (most often in the case of the creation of a self-proclaimed government as a result of external aggression, but also in other cases of a puppet state or the provision of imaginary independence of territory by the “former” metropolis, in which the “former” sovereign actually retains his power over it), as indicated. is a significant obstacle to the recognition of the territory as an independent state.

Unrecognized and partially recognized states usually have the ability and desire to enter into a standard set of relationships with full-fledged states, but by their non-recognition they do not give them the opportunity to fully participate in them.

Unrecognized and partially recognized states of our time

List of unrecognized and partially recognized states

Unrecognized states

	self-name of the state	chronology of events
1990	Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic	(c) - an unrecognized state proclaimed on part of the territory of the Moldavian SSR. In the east it borders with Ukraine, in the west with Moldova. The PMR authorities consider the republic to be the legal successor of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, which existed from 1924 to 1940 as part of the Ukrainian SSR, despite the fact that former borders The MASSR and the real borders of the PMR do not coincide. In addition to the left bank of the Dniester, the PMR also includes a small territory on the right bank, annexed to the republic in the early 1990s. Several villages of the republic, both on the right and left banks of the Dniester, declared by the PMR authorities as part of the PMR, are controlled by the Moldavian authorities. The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is recognized by the partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
1991	Nagorno-Karabakh Republic	(c) - an unrecognized state proclaimed within the borders of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO), as well as the adjacent former Shaumyan region of the Azerbaijan SSR, within these borders it was an enclave within the Azerbaijan SSR. The Martakert, Martuni and Shaumyan districts of the NKR are partially controlled by Azerbaijan. NKR, in turn, in addition to most of the territory of the former NKAO, completely controls the territories adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia and Iran. Thus, the republic borders on Armenia in the west, Azerbaijan in the north and east, and Iran in the south. Recognized by partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic.
1991		(c) is an unrecognized state located in northwestern Somalia. On May 18, 1991, the northern clans declared the independence of the Republic of Somaliland, which included 5 of the 18 administrative regions of Somalia. Controls most of the claimed territory of the former British Somaliland.
2014		. According to Ukrainian legislation, the territory of the Donetsk region controlled by the DPR is considered temporarily occupied by Russia. Ukraine is considered a terrorist organization. In turn, the DPR authorities consider the western part of the Donetsk region, which is controlled by Ukraine, as their own territory. June 27, 2014 by South Ossetia.
2014		(c) is an unrecognized state that was proclaimed during the political crisis in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian legislation, the territory of the Luhansk region controlled by the LPR is considered temporarily occupied by Russia. Ukraine is considered a terrorist organization. In turn, the LPR authorities consider the northern part of the Lugansk region, which is controlled by the Ukrainian authorities, as their own territory. On June 18, 2014, independence was recognized by the partially recognized republic of South Ossetia.

Partially recognized states

Controlling the claimed territory

year of independence	self-name of the state	chronology of events
1947	Azad Jammu and Kashmir	(c) - Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Free Kashmir) was proclaimed in October 1947 in protest against the unpopular Maharaja Hari Singh in Kashmir. It is recognized as independent only by Pakistan and is controlled by it. Formally, Azad Kashmir is not separated from the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir; according to the Indian Constitution, it is part of India.
1983	Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus	(c) - The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, proclaimed after the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish armed forces in 1974, declared its independence on November 15, 1983. On 1 May 2004, the territory of the TRNC was formally incorporated into the European Union as part of the Republic of Cyprus. Recognized only by Turkey, with which it maintains diplomatic relations. All other UN member states consider the territory of Northern Cyprus as part of the Republic of Cyprus, illegally occupied by Turkey.
1991	Republic of South Ossetia	(c) - Republic of South Ossetia - according to the Constitution of Georgia, territory South Ossetia is part of several regions of Georgia. On December 21, 1991, it declared its independence, which since 2008 has been recognized by 5 UN member states. Other UN member countries do not recognize the independence of South Ossetia. Georgia views South Ossetia as part of its territory illegally occupied by Russia.
1994	Republic of Abkhazia	(c) - The Republic of Abkhazia, according to the Constitution of Georgia, is an autonomous republic within this state; with the adoption of the constitution on November 26, 1994 - the republic declared itself sovereign state and subject international law. The state independence of Abkhazia has been recognized by 5 UN member states since 2008. Other UN member states do not recognize the independence of Abkhazia. Georgia views the territory of Abkhazia as part of its territory illegally occupied by Russia.

Controlling part of the claimed territory

year of independence	self-name of the state	chronology of events
1912	Republic of China	(c) - Republic of China, which controls the island of Taiwan and several small islands. After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, it lost diplomatic recognition. The UN seat was transferred to the People's Republic of China on October 25, 1971 by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. Currently, diplomatic relations with the Republic of China are maintained.
1976	Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic	(c) - The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is recognized as the 84th member state of the UN, as well as partially recognized by South Ossetia, and is a member of the African Union. Most of the country's claimed territory is controlled by Morocco.
1988	State of Palestine	(c) - The State of Palestine is currently recognized by the SADR. It is an observer state at the UN. Divided into two borderless parts: the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, and the West Bank, partly controlled by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) under the leadership of PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (who is also the president of the state).
2008	Republic of Kosovo	(c) - according to the constitution of Serbia, it is part of this state as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Based on Security Council Resolution 1244, the UN is under international governance. In 2008, Kosovo authorities declared independence, which is now recognized by 111 UN member states, as well as Taiwan, the Cook Islands, Niue and the Order of Malta. The authorities of the Republic of Kosovo do not actually control its northern part, inhabited by Serbs.

see also

Notes

1. Sometimes combined with the general term unrecognized states, many other notations are also used, such as self-proclaimed states , disputed states(eng. contested states), de facto states(eng. de facto states) within the framework of the declarative theory of statehood, breakaway territories(English: breakaway territories), pair-, quasi- And pseudo-states(English para-states, quasi-states, pseudo-states) within constitutive theory
2. Adoption at the UN requires the support of a state's application by the Security Council by a majority of 9 of the 15 members of the Council (and with the indispensable consent of all permanent members of the Security Council, or in any case the absence of objections from any of them) and a two-thirds majority of votes in the General Assembly ; the presence of such broad support is essentially tantamount to de jure collective recognition, by which the international community signifies its readiness to perceive the new UN member as a full-fledged state, with all due rights, duties and responsibilities, in the UN and beyond.
3. These include Armenia, Israel, the Republic of Cyprus, the People's Republic of China, the DPRK and the Republic of Korea
4. A common thesis is that “there must be a permanent strip of territory undoubtedly controlled by the government of the proposed state,” but even this requirement was ignored in a number of cases - for example, Croatia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, recognized in 1991, did not have firm territorial control in the context of the ongoing civil war
5. Thus, the borders of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic are identical (correspond to the borders of the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic), however, from the point of view of the Republic of Abkhazia, the area separating Abkhazia from the territory controlled by Georgia is a state border, and from the point of view of Georgia, it is an administrative border

1. Ozhegov S. I., Shvedova N. Yu. Dictionary Russian language / IRYa RAS. M.: Az, 1992 - “Self-proclaimed, -aya, -oe (official). About the state: proclaimed itself sovereign, but not recognized by the world community.”
2. In a broad sense, this term may also include those polities whose right the goal of independent statehood is widely recognized, but in fact is not realizable, restrained by “external powers” ​​(including due to the lack of control over the declared territory). , p. 25; see also . In a narrow sense - only partially recognized states.
3. This term, however, more often refers to states that are recognized, but have lost the actual characteristics of a state (, p.). See also failed state, virtual state
4. , p. .
5. , p. : “93. Pegg offers the following definition of a de facto state: “de facto state exists where there is an organized political leadership which has risen to power through some degree of indigenous capability; receives popular support; and has achieved sufficient capacity to provide governmental services to a given population in a defined territorial area, over which effective control is maintained for an extended period of time. The de facto state views itself as capable of entering into relations with other states and it seeks full constitutional independence and widespread international recognition as a sovereign state. It is, however, unable to achieve any degree of substantive recognition and therefore remains illegitimate in the eyes of international society.” Pegg, International Society and the De Facto State, p. 26. Others have essentially concurred with this assessment. As John McGarry has stated, “De facto states are a result of a strong secessionist bid, on the one hand, and the unwillingness of the international system to condone secession on the other.” They are regions which carry out the normal functions of the state on their territory, and which are generally supported by significant proportions of their population. They are not ‘de jure states’, because they are not sanctioned by the international order. Instead, other states and inter-state organizations, such as the mis-named United Nations, continue to recognize the authority of the state from which the secession occurred, even though its writ no longer runs in the breakaway region, and though its authority is rejected by the region's population." McGarry, "Foreword", p. x".

On the political map of the world there are about 120 unrecognized states, which are proclaimed on the territory of almost 60 countries. Some of them exist de facto, but de jure are not fully recognized by the international community (the island of Taiwan), some, on the contrary, are recognized, but do not have their own territory (Palestine, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic - Western Sahara), some are recognized only individual countries or regional organizations where they have their representative offices. Unrecognized states appear, as a rule, in areas where separatist movements operate in multinational countries, or as a result of changes in state borders that “cut” the areas of residence of ethnic groups.

These states are rarely written about in textbooks; most are not on maps. However, they really exist, people live in them, governments work, presidents work, constitutions are adopted, they even try to act in solidarity in the international arena * .

Some of them have existed for a long time, such as Taiwan, Palestine, Kurdistan, Azad Kashmir, Tibet.

Asia

In Asia there are more than 40 unrecognized states on the territory of 20 countries. The most famous are the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (in the northern part of Cyprus), Taiwan, Tibet (in China), Azad Kashmir, Manipur, Khalistan (in India), Tamil Eelam (in Sri Lanka), Balochistan (in Pakistan), Irian Jaya (in Indonesia), Kurdistan (in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey).

Kurdistan. The Kurds are the largest people (about 40 million people) who do not have their own state. They live in Turkey (about 20 million), Iran (about 8-9 million), Iraq (over 5 million), Syria (about 2 million). The rest are scattered around the world, including about 1 million people living in Western European countries and approximately 1 million people in the CIS * .

After the end of the First World War and the collapse Ottoman Empire in 1921, the Treaty of Sèvres was signed, which provided for the possibility of creating a Kurdish state on part of its territory. The agreement was not implemented, and the territory of compact settlement of the Kurds was divided between Turkey (about half of the supposed territory of Kurdistan), Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Throughout the 20th century. The Kurds sought national sovereignty and the creation of their own state. The Kurdish movement has the greatest strength in the territory of Northern (Turkish) and Southwestern (Syrian) Kurdistan, constituting more than half of the territory of Kurdistan and almost 2/3 of the entire Kurdish population.

For many years, in the eastern provinces of Turkey there has been a war between units of the regular Turkish army and units of the Kurdish liberation movement. The highest representative body of power of the non-existent state of the Kurds - the Parliament of Kurdistan - has been working in The Hague since 1995.

In Southern Kurdistan, located on the territory of Iraq, the Kurdish Autonomous Region was created in 1974 with an area of ​​38.7 thousand km2 with a population of about 5 million people. In 1992, the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament took advantage of the weakening of Iraq due to international sanctions and announced the formation of the state of Kurdistan within the proposed Federal Republic of Iraq.

The forces of the international community established a line of demarcation between the Kurds and the Iraqi government forces along the 36th parallel: “Free Kurdistan” began to be located north of it in the provinces of Erbil, Dohuk, and Sulaymaniyah. This territory is under the patronage of UN agencies and interested states - the USA, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc.

In the early 80s. XX century Turkey and Iraq have reached an agreement on the pursuit by Turkish armed forces of Kurdish rebels on Iraqi territory up to 10-15 km from the border. Taking advantage of this, the Turkish army repeatedly attacked Kurdish military targets and settlements on the territory of Iraq. The territorial issue is complicated by oil problems: the southern route for transporting Caspian oil runs through the territory of Turkish Kurdistan. In addition, Turkey plans to create a “buffer zone” of 5 to 10 km in size in northern Iraq, deporting the Kurdish population from this zone. Despite the fact that this is an act of outright annexation of part of Iraqi territory, such plans are supported by neighboring states.

The problem of national-cultural autonomy of the Kurds in Iran and Syria is also acute.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proclaimed in 1983 in the north of the island of Cyprus. It occupies about 36% of its territory, about 200 thousand people live here (23% of the island’s population), including 80 thousand immigrants from Turkey and 35 thousand Turkish military personnel. The capital is Lefkosa (northern part of Nicosia).

Cyprus, a former colony of Great Britain, gained independence in 1960. Turkey, Greece and Great Britain, which stationed military forces on the island, were recognized as guarantors of its territorial integrity. Great Britain has two military bases here - Dhekelia and Akro-tiri. After the coup d'etat and the attempt to annex the island to Greece in 1974, Turkey sent its troops to Cyprus, occupying more than 1/3 of its territory. In fact, Cyprus split into two parts: the Turkish, where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, not recognized by the world community, was proclaimed, and the Greek - the Republic of Cyprus itself. Turkish Cypriots (about 18% of the population) moved to the north of the island, the ethnic minority was strengthened by immigrants from Turkey; Greek Cypriots concentrated in the south of the island. The UN Security Council condemned the occupation and division of Cyprus, demanding the withdrawal of Turkish armed forces from the island, and UN peacekeeping forces were stationed in Cyprus.

Negotiations between the two parts of the country are being mediated by the UN, which advocates preserving single state and political equality of communities.

In 2004, before Cyprus joined the European Union, a referendum on unification was held, during which the population spoke out against a single state.

Tamil Eelam. Tamils ​​live in India (Tamil Nadu) and Sri Lanka and practice Hinduism. The Tamils' neighbors in Sri Lanka are the Sinhalese, who are Buddhists. Differences in religious affiliation, as well as the dominance of Sinhalese in the power structures of Sri Lanka, are the main causes of the conflict.

Militants from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam organization have been conducting military operations against regular units of the Sri Lankan army, with varying degrees of success since the mid-1970s. areas in the east of the island.

In the 1980s At the request of the Sri Lankan government, Indian peacekeeping forces were stationed on the island, but this did not lead to the establishment of peace. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have representations in several countries, including Great Britain, France, and Norway.

Azad Kashmir. In August 1947, two states were formed on part of the territory of British India: India (with a predominance of the Hindu population) and Pakistan (with a predominance of the Muslim population). Under the partition plan of the Indian Independence Act of 1947, a small principality in northern India inhabited by Muslims and Hindus - Kashmir - had the right to become part of either India or Pakistan. Its accession to India became a matter of dispute between the two countries, and in the same year they began fighting. As a result, most of Kashmir remained part of India. Pakistan received only inaccessible mountainous areas in the north and a small territory in the southwest of the principality - Azad Kashmir. In July 1949, India and Pakistan signed an agreement to establish an observer-controlled firing line. In 1965, the Pakistanis tried again to take control of Kashmir, but failed.

At the end of 1971, hostilities between India and Pakistan resumed again. In July 1972, India and Pakistan signed an agreement defining the Line of Control in Kashmir, which, with minor deviations, corresponded to the ceasefire line established in 1949. Military operations in Kashmir took place in 2001-2002, which forced Pakistan to declare its readiness to use nuclear forces to protect the territorial integrity of the country.

Taiwan- one of the provinces of China, located on the island of the same name between East China and South China Seas. In 1949, after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, the overthrown Kuomintang government moved to the island of Taiwan and the Republic of China was proclaimed. Long time(from 1949 to 1971) Taiwan's representative occupied China's seat at the UN.

The PRC views Taiwan as its integral part and seeks reunification with it on the basis of the principle of “one state, two systems.” In the second half of the 20th century. Taiwan had one of the world's highest economic growth rates; today it is included in the group of newly industrialized countries, and since 1997, according to the classification of the International Monetary Fund, it is among the economically developed countries

Tibet. The Tibetan state arose in the 7th century. In the 17th century The head of the Gelugba Buddhist sect, the Dalai Lama, became the spiritual and temporal head of the country. China established its sovereignty over Tibet in 1720, but the state continued to be formally ruled by the religious leader the Dalai Lama. In 1903-1904 British troops occupied Tibet (due to Tibetan protests in the areas bordering Sikkim) and in 1906, under the Anglo-Chinese Convention, Great Britain recognized Tibet as a sphere of influence of China. In 1910, Chinese troops occupied Tibet, and it was declared part of China; the Dalai Lama emigrated to India. In 1911, after the revolution in China, the Dalai Lama returned and declared the independence of Tibet.

After the formation of the People's Republic of China, Chinese troops entered Tibet. In 1951, an agreement was concluded between the Chinese government and the Tibetan authorities on measures for the peaceful liberation of Tibet. In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama emigrated to India, from there supporting the movement for the separation of Tibet from China.

Since 1965, the Tibet Autonomous Region has been part of the People's Republic of China (1,200 thousand km2, over 2 million people); in 2006, the construction of a high-mountain railway was completed, which connects Tibet with the central regions of China.

Europe

In Europe, hotbeds of separatism and the territories of self-proclaimed states are tied to areas inhabited by national minorities. There are potentially quite a lot of such hotbeds, but only in some of them is the desire for national self-determination expressed quite strongly. Self-proclaimed states (there are about 30 of them in Europe) are located on the territory of 16 countries. The most famous are Northern Ireland (Ulster) in Great Britain, the Basque Country (on the border of Spain and France), the Sami State in Finland, Sweden and Norway and the self-proclaimed states on the Balkan Peninsula.

Basque Country. The Basques live compactly in the northeast of Spain and the southwest of France; their language (Euskara) is an isolated language and does not belong to any language family. The Basques and the ETA organization (ETA - Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) are fighting for the creation of an independent Basque state, organizing terrorist attacks and street pogroms.

Northern Ireland (Ulster)- administrative part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

For almost 700 years, Ireland was a British colony. In 1921, after three centuries of struggle for independence South part Ireland received dominion status (a republic was proclaimed in 1949), the northern part (six counties) remained part of Great Britain. The majority of the population in Ulster is Protestant, descendants of the English and Scots who colonized the territory after the suppression of the Irish rebellion of 1641-1652. Native Irish Catholics make up a third of the population here, and for centuries they have traditionally been given the most unskilled jobs.

The Sinféin party and its paramilitary wing, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), are in favor of reunification with Ireland. They are opposed by the Protestant Orange Order. * .

In 1969, a real war began between Protestants and Catholics. British troops tried to eliminate the conflict; direct rule was introduced in Northern Ireland - the British Minister for Northern Ireland began to exercise leadership.

In 1973, Ulster held a referendum on provincial status. Since the majority of the population were Protestants, the outcome of the referendum was predetermined - the majority voted against secession from Great Britain.

The IRA began terror in Great Britain - bombings were organized in London, shelling of Heathrow Airport, and an attempt to blow up Buckingham Palace. Then the IRA declared an end to the terror, and the British prime minister pledged to return self-government to the province, subject to the rights of all residents. In December 1999, direct rule from London was abolished.

In 2000, in response to a violation of the agreements (the IRA’s refusal to disarm), the Queen of Great Britain approved a law restoring direct rule, thus self-government in Northern Ireland lasted only two months.

Africa

There are about 15 self-proclaimed states in Africa. As a rule, they arise in compact ethnic areas, in areas rich in natural resources. The flourishing of separatist movements was largely facilitated by colonial state borders that divided the natural habitats of the tribes.

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic proclaimed in 1976 by the Front for the Liberation of Western Sahara - Polisario - on lands occupied by Moroccan troops. It has been a member of the African Union since 1984, recognized by almost 70 states, and has neither a capital nor an active government.

Western Sahara and Morocco are territories in northwest Africa that previously belonged to Spain and France, respectively. In 1956, the former colony of France, Morocco, gained independence; in 1976, Spain ceased its presence in Western Sahara, the territory of which came under the temporary administrative control of Morocco and Mauritania, the latter actually occupied it. In 1979, Mauritania renounced its claims to Western Sahara, after which Morocco occupied the areas from which Mauritanian troops had withdrawn.

In the 80s XX century The Moroccans built a defensive rampart about 2.5 thousand km long to protect against the actions of the Polisario front, which was seeking independence for Western Sahara. Since 1983, the UN has been calling on Morocco to create conditions for self-determination of Western Sahara, which is included in the so-called UN colonial list (it is subject to the requirement for independence).

Shaba (Katanga)- a province rich in mineral resources, primarily copper, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( former name- Zaire), where in the Middle Ages the huge kingdom of Luba Lunda was located. The self-proclaimed state existed from 1960 to 1963, its president was Moise Tshombe, the son-in-law of Mwato-Yambo XIV (the paramount leader of the Luba people). After the death of his father-in-law, he tried to inherit the throne and proclaim himself Emperor of Lunda, which was prevented by the elders and the local king Mushidi was elected to the throne. In 1963, the province was annexed to Zaire with the promise of partial autonomy, which was not fulfilled. In 1968, the Tshombe clan took revenge, David Tshombe was proclaimed Emperor of Lunda, and received from the hands of the elders a symbol of power - a copper bracelet. The province's autonomy was self-proclaimed in 1993, but is not recognized by the national government.

Mining State of South Kasai existed in 1960-1962. in the area of ​​the Kalonji diamond fields in the southern part of the Kasai province (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Somalia. In 1991, dictator Siad Bare was overthrown in Somalia and civil war began. The struggle for power is being waged by more than 20 military-political groups formed on an ethnic basis and having their own armed units.

Several unrecognized states have been declared on the territory of Somalia:

• JUBBALAND, established by guerrillas from the south ( combat units Hussein Aidid; supported by Kenya).

• AUTONOMOUS REGION OF PUNTLAND, capital - Garowe, proclaimed by rebels from the north-eastern regions of the country, President Abdillahi Yusuf, supported by Ethiopia. (In December 2001, Ethiopia sent a force of 200 troops to support the former head of the autonomous region of Puntland, Abdullah Yusuf, who lost the elections and entered into a confrontation with the central government of the Somali Democratic Republic (SDR). The SDR Defense Minister called the deployment of the Ethiopian military unit an “illegal invasion.” .)

• SOMALILAND (formerly British Somalia), created by family clans in the north-west of the country, President Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, Territory - 109 thousand square meters. km, population - about 1.5 million people. The capital is Hargeisa.

• THE CENTRAL STATES OF SOMALIA, proclaimed in the central regions of the country, are actively seeking international recognition.

• The RAHANYEN RESISTANCE FRONT operates in the southwestern regions, claims an independent political role, and is supported by Ethiopia, whose troops are located in the territory controlled by the Front.

There is a constant threat of famine over the country, because due to intense internal battles, the harvest is constantly low. Chaos and anarchy make it impossible to provide humanitarian assistance. The central government in Mogadishu, with the help of the President of Djibouti, is trying to reconcile the parties,

Biafra- populated by the Igbo people, the oil-rich eastern province of Nigeria, which declared independence in 1967. Attempts to secede led to a brutal civil war that lasted until 1970. About 1 million people died during the war.

Ogoniland- a territory east of Port Harcourt in the Rivers state of Nigeria, with an area of ​​about 100 thousand km 2, inhabited by the Ogoni people. The movement “For the Salvation of the Ogoni People”, created in 1990 with the aim of protecting political and economic rights people of Ogoniland. Since 1994, the Nigerian government has waged an armed struggle against this movement. In 1995, government troops were introduced into Ogoniland.

Cabinda- an oil-rich province of Angola, separated from it by the territory of Congo, providing more than 90% of the country's budget revenues. Since the 19th century Cabinda is a possession of Portugal; in 1975, after Angola gained independence, it was administratively annexed to it. The struggle for the independence of the province is led by the Cabinda Enclave Liberation Front.

Neutral territories. In these territories there is a ban on military operations and the placement of military bases. This status has the territory with water sources on the border of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, accessible to the nomadic tribes of both countries; areas of concentration of cultural values. Neutral are international territories - Antarctica, outer space, international channels and straits - Panama and Suez canals, Strait of Magellan, etc., Spitsbergen archipelago, the city of Famagusta in Cyprus.

Leased territories. Lease agreements, i.e. the right to temporary use of territory, are concluded between states and, most often, have the nature of a forced concession as a result of peaceful negotiations. As a rule, leased territories have an extremely advantageous geographical and geostrategic location.

Examples of leased territories include:

Port Arthur (Luishun), leased by Russia for 99 years in 1898. Japan's claims to this territory were one of the reasons Russo-Japanese War 1905 According to the Treaty of Portsmouth of 1905, Port Arthur became part of Japan and was part of it until 1945. Then, until 1955, the USSR naval base was located in Port Arthur; since 1955 it has been the territory of China;

Hanko Peninsula, sea ​​port and the ice-free part of the Gulf of Finland were leased by the USSR from Finland from 1940 to 1944 (according to the 1940 peace treaty). In 1944, the USSR abandoned the lease of this territory in exchange for a 50-year lease of the Porkkala-Udd territory for a military base (the lease was terminated in 1955);

Macau, a convenient trading harbor, was leased by the Portuguese from the Chinese authorities in 1555. After the capture of the Macao Peninsula in 1849, Portugal received the right to “eternal rule of Macao.” Since 1951, Macao has been an overseas territory of Portugal, governed by a governor. According to an agreement signed in 1987 between China and Portugal, in December 1999, the sovereignty of the PRC over Macau was restored, which received the status of a special administrative region;

Hong Kong (comprising Hong Kong Island and part of the Kowloon Peninsula (Kowloon) and 255 adjacent islands) was transferred to the jurisdiction of China after the end of the lease, becoming its special administrative region;

UK Naval Bases in Cyprus;

US Naval Base in Cuba (Guantanamo Bay);

The territory of the Baikonur Cosmodrome (about 600 km 2), leased by the Russian Federation from Kazakhstan.

Occupied territories are annexed to states as a result of military action, and are subject to the regime of the occupied country or a special international regime. Namibia was occupied by South African troops

Probably everyone has heard that there are unrecognized states in the world. But not everyone knows what exactly is meant by this concept, how these countries arose, and what caused their appearance. Let's try to figure it out.

Unrecognized states is a term used to describe regions that have independently declared sovereignty. At the same time, these countries are not recognized or partially recognized from the point of view of diplomacy. In turn, the majority of self-proclaimed states have all the characteristics of a separate country. These include:

• official name;
• attributes: flag, anthem, symbols;
• population;
• controls;
• army (usually armed forces);
• legislation.

Despite this, UN members do not consider such states to be separate countries and view them as sovereign regions under the control of one or more states that are members of the UN.

There are many reasons why self-proclaimed countries could have formed. Thus, some regions separated and declared their sovereignty as a result of military actions, revolutions, armed conflicts, and national liberation struggles.

Appeared not long ago a large number of unrecognized countries, the reason for the emergence of which was the separation from the metropolises, states that previously owned the territory of the exploited country. This applies to former colonies. There are especially many of them on the African continent. Most states received sovereignty and diplomatic recognition. But some entities remained in the unrecognized category.

Another option for the emergence of such states is the foreign economic and foreign policy manipulations of various countries. Thus, some authors (participants in world politics) created so-called “puppet states” - this was an effective technique for creating a neutral zone between warring countries. Thanks to this, you can protect yourself from hostile armies. Such zones are often called “cordons sanitaires”

Satellites are also an excellent way to lobby the state. Many countries of the world have resorted to this method at different stages of their development. Thus, a formally independent state is formed on a specific territory. Moreover, it is a puppet and is completely controlled by another country, which thus dictates its political and economic interests.

Which modern countries are classified as unrecognized states?

At the moment, there are a number of unrecognized states that are located in different territories of the world. A lot of such regions are concentrated in Somalia. Here the following states declared their sovereignty: Himan and Heb, Somaliland, Puntland, Jubaland, Avdaland, Azania.

In 2014, two unrecognized states were formed on the territory of Ukraine: . Both republics emerged as a result of a crisis that spread throughout the country. The Ukrainian authorities do not recognize the separation of these regions and their sovereignty.

Most of the territories of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions are controlled by Ukraine. And in the government of the republics they are considered separatist terrorist organizations.

None of the fully recognized countries considers the Luhansk and Donetsk regions to be sovereign states.

Also interesting are those countries of the world that are not exactly states, but rather state-like entities. These include Sealand and the Order of Malta.

Sealand, also known as Sealand, is a principality that is defined as a virtual state. It is located on the territory. The history of this principality is peculiar. Sealand's sovereignty was announced by Paddy Roy Bates. The former British army soldier independently appointed himself the monarch of Sealand, and named his family the ruling dynasty.

Afterwards, work began on the creation of state attributes. Surprisingly, the Batesom family has found followers who consider themselves subjects of the ruling dynasty and help in the formation of a separate state. It is currently believed that Sealand's form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The country has a flag, anthem and other symbols.

The Order of Malta has greater rights than Sealand. Thus, this knightly religious order has observer status with the United Nations and is often considered a dwarf state. The country has developed diplomatic relations. It cooperates with 105 countries. The Order of Malta has its own currency - the Maltese scudo.

Citizens of the country receive passports. The Order of Malta carries stamps, has its own anthem, coat of arms and other state attributes. The official language here is Latin.

Partially recognized states and their features

There are also a number of countries in the world that other states have partially recognized. Among them are those that control their territory in whole or in part. The latter include the following:

1. Republic of China Taiwan. This self-proclaimed republic declared independence in 1911. The country's territory is located on other small islands. For some time this country had full powers, but after the events of 1949 it was deprived of diplomatic recognition. At the moment, the state is recognized by 22 countries, has its own embassies, and establishes diplomatic relations independently.
   
2. SADR. It was founded in 1976. It is now recognized by 60 countries that are members of the United Nations, and is also partially recognized by South Ossetia. The SADR is part of the African Union. Most of the territory of the republic is part of Morocco.
3. State of Palestine. It has one of the brightest stories, which is distinguished by a large number of controversial situations and military conflicts. The state was self-proclaimed in 1988. Today it is recognized by 137 countries of the world: 136 of which are internationally recognized, and 1 - partially. Palestine is an observer of the United Nations. The state is divided into two parts that are not connected to each other.
   The first part is the Gaza Strip. The territory is controlled by Hamas, which is an Islamic resistance movement and a political party at the same time. Hamas is recognized by many countries as terrorist organization. The second part of Palestine is the West Bank. The territory is partially controlled by the Palestinian National Organization. The head of the PNA is the country's President Mahmoud Abbas. The 1948 war with Israel became a turning point in the history of Palestine.

   It was then that the state underwent serious changes: both parts were occupied. And in 1980, the territory of Jerusalem was annexed to Israel. In 1993, the countries signed an agreement according to which the PNA was formed, designed to find a compromise solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The PNA was supposed to exercise control over both parts of the state. But in 2006 he left the Gaza Strip, after which the Hamas group seized power in this territory.

4. Republic of Kosovo. Since 2008, this territory of Serbia has been autonomous. The official name is the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. This administrative unit declared its independence, which was recognized by 109 UN members, as well as some countries with unrecognized or partially recognized statuses.

Self-proclaimed (unrecognized) states are the general name of state entities that, while possessing all the signs of statehood, do not have international recognition and cannot act as a subject of international relations.

Self-declared (unrecognized) states can be classified by the control of the self-proclaimed governments over the declared territory, the degree of their international recognition, and the reasons for their self-declaration.

IN Lately The phenomenon of “partially recognized states” has appeared in the world, i.e. recognized by at least one of the UN member countries. Their appearance is associated with the practice of using “double standards” by some members of the world community in solving the problem of unrecognized states. The danger of this problem is the contradiction between two fundamental principles of international law: “ territorial integrity state” and “the right of the people to self-determination”. And at present, some sovereign states are abusing these principles in order to solve their own political and economic problems.

Based on the above problems and the contradictions in determining the status of unrecognized states, it is possible to assume: if all the unique features of the state formation are taken into account, all historical and political features its emergence, then it will be possible to determine whether it has the right to be called a sovereign member of the international community.

Conditionally self-proclaimed states can be divided into 4 groups:

1) states formed as a result of revolutions and civil wars (for example, in Somalia).

2) states formed as a result of separatism, including self-proclaimed states - those that declared their independence with a special declaration (almost all post-socialist unrecognized states).

3) states formed as a result of the post-war division (R. Korea - DPRK, PRC - ROC Taiwan, etc.).

4) as well as states that arose due to the independence of the colonies from the metropolises.

1. Some of the unrecognized states that exist today appeared before the 1980s of the last century for various reasons. Currently there are 4 such states:

Republic of China Taiwan (since 1949), State of Palestine (formally by UN decision - since 1947, declaration of independence - 1988), Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (since 1976) and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (since 1983 G.)

2. The turn of the 1990s can be considered a new stage in the formation of modern unrecognized states. - the period of collapse of the socialist federations - the USSR and Yugoslavia (SFRY) and related ethno-territorial conflicts (examples - the Republic of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria; the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (until 1999); Serbian Krajina and Republika Srpska (until 1995 city); and the Republic of Kosovo). Initially, the international community proclaimed the priority of the principle of “inviolability of borders,” but subsequently some countries moved away from this.

3. Also, de facto existing unrecognized states arose in connection with the civil war that began in 1988 in Somalia. As a result, 2 types of such states were formed: the first declared the goal of achieving independence (Somaliland, Northland, Jubbaland), the second declared the creation of “autonomous states” with their subsequent inclusion in a single “Somali Federation” (Puntland, Maahir, Galmudug, South- Western Somalia).

4. Separate self-proclaimed states arose during civil wars, and now actively use terrorist attacks and criminal “basis” for their existence. These included Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, Waziristan in Pakistan, and the Shan and Wa States in Myanmar.

Often, self-proclaimed states cease to exist as a result of military special operations - like the Republic of Serbian Krajina (“killed” as a result of a military special operation by Croatia in 1995) or the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (which ceased to exist de facto after the second Chechen war of 1999-2000).

At present, as already noted, so-called “partially recognized states” have emerged, that is, those that are not recognized by the world community as a whole, but are recognized by individual UN member countries. And although cases of “selective” recognition were observed earlier (ROT Taiwan, recognized by 22 UN member states and the Vatican; SADR - Western Sahara, recognized by 48 UN states and 12 countries that “frozen” recognition; State of Palestine, recognized as independent 111 UN member countries, but not having the opportunity to join the UN), the most chronologically close precedent in the recognition of self-proclaimed states can be considered the recognition of Northern Cyprus by Turkey in 1983, and the recognition of the Republic of Kosovo by a number of countries on February 17 is the most recent precedent. 2008.

Since February 17, 2008, the Republic of Kosovo has been recognized by 70 states, and since August 26, 2008, the Republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru.

Thus, it should be noted that at present, as already noted, so-called “partially recognized states” have emerged, that is, those that are not recognized by the world community as a whole, but are recognized by individual UN member countries. Similar processes of “partial recognition” continue to this day.

Main characteristics

In legal theory, international legal recognition of states is usually understood as a unilateral voluntary act of a state in which it declares that it considers another state as a subject of international law.

There are two theories of recognition in international law: constitutive and declaratory.

The constitutive theory is that only recognition gives the recipient of recognition the corresponding quality: to the state - international legal personality, to the government - the ability to represent the subject of international law in interstate relations. Recognition has legal-forming significance: only it constitutes (creates) new subjects of international law. Without recognition from a group of leading states, a new state cannot be considered a subject of international law.

The declarative theory is that recognition does not convey the corresponding quality to the addressee, but only states its appearance and serves as a means of facilitating contacts with him. In other words, recognition is declarative in nature and is aimed at establishing stable, permanent international legal relations between subjects of international law. That is, recognition only states the emergence of a state, and it does not matter how many countries have recognized it.

There are also two forms of official recognition: de facto and de jure

De facto recognition is characterized as incomplete, it expresses uncertainty that a given state or government is sufficiently durable or viable. It may, in principle, entail the establishment of consular relations, but is not mandatory, while de jure recognition is complete and final. It necessarily entails the establishment of diplomatic relations. In any case, the establishment of diplomatic relations is considered to mean de jure recognition.

De jure recognition is complete and final. It presupposes the establishment of international relations between the subjects of international law in full and is accompanied, as a rule, by a statement of official recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations.

At the present stage of development of international law, it should be noted that the institution of recognition is not codified: it is formed by a group of international legal norms (mainly customary) that regulate all stages of recognition of new states and governments, including the legal consequences of recognition. IN international treaties contains only individual rules on recognition.

Any country in relation to unrecognized states, if it seeks to remain within the framework of international law, can behave as follows:

Firstly, she has every right to recognize or not recognize the neoplasm. The state itself determines the validity and forms of recognition. This should happen taking into account one’s own interests and the requirements of real politics.

Secondly, it is unacceptable to interfere in the process of self-determination, much less resort to armed aggression.

In this case, Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia fits well into this policy. For this, in addition to formal law, there are also compelling political reasons.

– First of all, it is necessary to ensure humanitarian rights population, including Russian citizens.

“In addition, it is necessary to prevent instability at our borders. To do this it is necessary to give official status their governments, already somewhat legitimized in the international arena.

Thus, in order to recognize one or another self-proclaimed state as a full-fledged member of the international community, any sovereign country must proceed from the fact that in this case it has the full right to recognize or not recognize such an entity. That is, legally, from the point of view of equal rights of peoples, this is not only a right, but also an obligation. Any state must analyze itself real parameters statehood of a self-determined new entity, determine the validity, varieties, forms of recognition, etc.

And all this should happen taking into account one’s own interests, objectives, and real policy requirements, in the context of this specific current situation with an unrecognized state.

The list of modern unrecognized states in scientific publications is quite long. It includes: the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic (PMR), the Republic of Abkhazia, the Republic of South Ossetia, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh), the Republic of China on Taiwan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Kosovo. Often added to this cohort of “seven unrecognized” are the Republic of Somaliland, Tamil Eelam (in Ceylon), and more recently the Islamic State of Waziristan, whose independence was proclaimed in February 2006 by Pashtun militants (supporters of the Taliban) in northwestern Pakistan . Occasionally mentioned in the same context South Sudan, Kashmir, Western Sahara, Palestine, Kurdistan and some other territories (for example, exotic Sealand).

The existence of unrecognized states of the European periphery is directly related to the processes of disintegration of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia and a number of ethnic armed conflicts of the 1990s, which have not yet received their political settlement. The unrecognized states of the European periphery are small territorially, their population is small even by European standards. The clear leader among unrecognized states in these parameters is Kosovo, whose leaders today control an area of ​​11,000 square meters. km with a population of about 2 million people. Ethnic Albanians make up a significant majority in the region, Serbs, Croats, Hungarians, Turks, Roma and other ethnic minorities - up to 100 thousand people.

Transnistria controls a territory of 4,163 square meters. km, where 555.5 thousand people live. Abkhazia occupies an area of ​​8,600 square meters. km with a population of 250 thousand people. Only 146.6 thousand people live in Nagorno-Karabakh, who manage to hold a territory of 11,000 square meters. km, taking into account the six occupied regions of Azerbaijan. South Ossetia has a territory of 3,900 square meters. km, population – 70 thousand people. It is the smallest of the unrecognized states.

Moreover, three of the four named states (with the exception of Transnistria) are geographically located outside of Europe: they are located on the southern side Caucasian ridge, separating Europe from Asia. On this basis, the Transnistrian conflict can be attributed to the sphere of the European periphery, and the other three to the European borderland zone. It is advisable to study unrecognized states in the context of the conflicts that gave rise to them. This approach allows us to minimize the costs associated with analyzing the prospects for the development of such state entities, while maintaining the context of the phenomenon under study. Considering an ethnic armed conflict, the product of which is one or another independent state, it is possible to identify the characteristics of each situation and predict the prospects for changing the status of an unrecognized state. Combining the capabilities of neo-institutional analysis and conflict theory creates the foundation for a new interpretation of the processes of institutionalization of ethnic confrontations and expands the range of analytical tools for the comparative study of individual examples of unrecognized states.

Based on the analysis of a number of materials and empirical data devoted to this problem, it is reasonable to highlight several main parameters for a comprehensive consideration of the phenomenon of self-proclaimed (unrecognized) states. Among them are:

– the history of the emergence of an unrecognized state entity, a description of the ethnic conflict and the main stages of its development;

– the effectiveness of the negotiation process, mediation, peace plans;

– formation of statehood and economic complex unrecognized state entities;

– features of the political system, the degree of its democracy;

– presence or absence real possibilities to return an unrecognized state entity to the state from which it separated;

– chances for existence as an independent state;

– the interest and ability of external forces to change or preserve the status of an unrecognized state entity.

When taking into account the listed parameters, one can count on a more or less accurate understanding of the problems of each unrecognized state.

Unrecognized states can be classified on various grounds. The key criterion for recognition of unrecognized states is control over their territory. According to this indicator, they can be divided into four ideal types. The first is unrecognized states with full control of their territory (Waziristan, Transnistria, Somaliland, Northern Cyprus). The second is unrecognized states that partially control their territory (Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Tamil Eelam, South Ossetia). The third is an entity under the protectorate of the international community (Kosovo, which is legally part of Serbia, but has actually been administered by the UN administration since 1999 on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1244). The fourth is quasi-states (ethnic groups that have not received the right to self-determination) that control enclaves of compact settlement of their ethnic group (Kurdistan, located in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria). The concept of “unrecognized state,” as already noted, is conditional. In fact, partially recognized states are usually included in this cohort of state entities. Thus, according to the criterion of recognition of sovereignty, one can distinguish between actually unrecognized states (Kosovo, Transnistria) and partially recognized states (Taiwan), some of which exist under conditions of military occupation (Western Sahara, Palestine). Taiwan has diplomatic relations with twenty-six countries around the world, Northern Cyprus is recognized by Turkey. The lack of recognition of a state by the international community negatively affects its legal status and operational capabilities. Such a state is incapable of active economic activity, cannot enter into trade contracts and implement multilateral investment and infrastructure projects. An unrecognized state counts only on humanitarian aid international community, social and cultural projects, cooperation with different countries and regions is in its infancy. Therefore, its existence and development directly depend on the political and legal recognition of a territory.

The unrecognized states of the European periphery and borderlands have existed for quite a long time: Kosovo - nine years, Abkhazia, NKR, South Ossetia - sixteen, Transnistria - eighteen years. The prospects for a change in status (recognition of independence, irredent, forceful takeover, return to a single state through conflict resolution) are different for all territories.

Kosovo has the greatest prospects in terms of possible transformations of its existing status. We are talking about gaining independence in one form or another, since the United States and the European Union are interested in this. Apparently, Serbia will only be able to delay such a decision or negotiate for itself some political and economic concessions (integration of Serbia into the EU or division of the territory of Kosovo).

Abkhazia, Transnistria and South Ossetia can count on partial, incomplete recognition by Russia, but their future prospects are far from obvious. Such “semi-independence” will not be recognized by the United States, the European Union, India, China and many other states.

In Transnistria and South Ossetia, the possibilities of obtaining formal independence are less realistic for a number of geopolitical and organizational-territorial reasons. In the case of the PMR, Russia still has great opportunities on resuscitation of the strategy for the unification of Moldova and Transnistria. South Ossetia appears to have a strong economic case for reunification with Georgia.

Nagorno-Karabakh has the least chance of changing its status. This situation is mainly determined by the position of the United States, EU countries, Russia, Iran and Turkey. They are generally interested in maintaining the status quo in the conflict zone, and the political possibility of territorial exchange, which could open the way to a political settlement, remains insignificant.

Thus, unrecognized states can be typologized on various grounds. The key criterion for recognition of unrecognized states is control over their territory. According to this indicator, they can be divided into four ideal types.

Unrecognized states are the general name for regions that have declared themselves sovereign states and have such signs of statehood as the presence of a population, control over territory, a system of law and governance, but at the same time do not have diplomatic recognition from UN member states, and their territory , as a rule, is regarded by UN member states as being under the sovereignty of one or more UN member states.

Partially recognized states

Partially recognized states that actually control their territory

1. , proclaimed after the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish armed forces in 1974, declared its independence in 1983. In 2004, the territory of the TRNC was formally included in European Union as part of the Republic of Cyprus. Recognized by Turkey and Abkhazia. All other UN member states recognize the territory of Northern Cyprus as part of the Republic of Cyprus.
2. - according to the Constitution of Georgia, is an autonomous republic within this state; since 1992 it has been virtually independent; on November 26, 1994, the Constitution of Abkhazia was adopted, according to which the republic is declared a sovereign state and a subject of international law. The state independence of Abkhazia has been recognized since 2008 by 6 UN member states - Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, Vanuatu and Tuvalu. All other UN member states recognize the territory of Abkhazia as part of Georgia.
3. - According to the Constitution of Georgia, the territory of South Ossetia is part of several regions of Georgia. In 1991 it gained de facto independence, which since 2008 has been recognized by 5 UN member states: Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Tuvalu. All other UN member states recognize the territory of South Ossetia as part of Georgia.
4. - in 1987, the creation of an “independent” state of Khalistan was announced. The president of the “new state” was Gurmit Singh Aulakh (a highly respected emigrant who led the Sikh diaspora in the USA). Independence was proclaimed in the US capital.

Partially recognized states that control part of the territory claimed

1. , which controls the island of Taiwan and several small islands. After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, it lost diplomatic recognition. The UN seat was handed over to China. People's Republic October 25, 1971 by Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly. Currently recognized by 23 states. The Republic of China actually carries out diplomatic relations through its so-called. economic and cultural representations.
2. recognized by 48 states, is a member of the African Union. Most of the country's claimed territory is controlled by Morocco.

Unrecognized states

1. (since 1990) - an unrecognized state proclaimed on part of the territory of the Moldavian SSR. The PMR authorities consider the republic to be the legal successor of the Moldavian ASSR, which existed from 1924 to 1940 as part of the Ukrainian SSR, despite the fact that the former borders of the MASSR and the present borders of the PMR do not coincide. The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is not recognized by any state with wide international recognition, but it is recognized by Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
2. (since 1991) - an unrecognized state proclaimed within the borders of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO), as well as the adjacent former Shaumyanovsky region of the Azerbaijan SSR, within these borders it was an enclave within the Azerbaijan SSR.
3. (since 1991). Located in northwestern Somalia. In May 1991, the northern clans proclaimed the Independent Republic of Somaliland, which included 5 of the 18 administrative regions of Somalia. Continues to defend its independence.
4. (since 1998). He planned to become part of the federal Somali state; until 2010, he was its main support in the fight against radical Islamists.
5. (1998-1999, since 2011). Plans to become part of the federal Somali state. As of 2008, it was under the control of the Provisional Somali Federal Government only nominally. At the beginning of 2011, a new government, allied to the Transitional Federal Government and opposing Al-Shabaab, was actually established in northern Jubaland.
6. (since 2006). Plans to become part of the federal Somali state; has not been mentioned in the English-language press since December 2006.
7. Himan and Cheb(since 2008). Plans to become part of the federal Somali state.
8. (since 2010). Considers itself independent from Somaliland (having declared itself an autonomous state in Somalia), and plans to become part of the federal Somali state.
9. (since 2011). Created in April 2011 in the part of Jubaland bordering Kenya. Plans to become part of the federal Somali state; according to some sources, it has already been recognized by Kenya.
10. (ASWJ) (since 1991)
11. (since 2004)
12. (since 1989).
13. State (since 1996).
14. Islamic in Yemen (since 2011).
15. Islamic in Yemen (since 2012).
16. in Pakistan (since 2006).
17. Democratic Republic of Bakassi in Nigeria (since 2012)
18. in Mali (since April 6, 2012).
19. in Malaysia (since November 17, 2010).
20. in India.
21. Republic of Hau Pakumoto(since January 19, 2010) on the island of Moorea, French Polynesia.
22. in Australia (since March 30, 2013).
23. People's Republic of Euahlai - Queensland, Australia since August 3, 2013.
24. in the Philippines. The Moro National Liberation Front declared Bangsamoro independence on August 12, 2013 in Talipao, Sulu and declared Davao City as the capital of the Bangsamoro.
25. or Western Kurdistan. On November 12, 2013, the Democratic Union, Syria's largest Kurdish party, announced plans to create a transitional government in the Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country. Iraqi Kurdistan does not recognize the autonomy of the Syrian Kurds.
26. Islamic State of Fallujah in Iraq. The Islamic State of Iraq military group captured the city of Fallujah and declared independence on January 3, 2014.

Partially unrecognized states

Partially unrecognized states that control part of the territory claimed

1. - according to the Constitution of Serbia, it is part of this state as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Based on Security Council Resolution 1244, the UN is under international governance. In 2008, Kosovo authorities declared independence, which is now recognized by 106 UN member states, as well as Taiwan and the Order of Malta. The authorities of the Republic of Kosovo do not actually control its northern part, inhabited by Serbs.
2. currently recognized by 134 UN and SADR member states. It is an observer state at the UN. Divided into two borderless parts: the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, and the West Bank, partly controlled by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). According to the Oslo Accords (1993), between Israel and the PLO, the PNA was created, which was given administrative control over the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank, and security issues remained with Israel. After Israel left the Gaza Strip in 2006, the PNA leadership lost power in the strip, which was captured by the Hamas organization (which won the parliamentary elections in the autonomy that same year), recognized as terrorist in a number of countries.
The DPRK is not recognized by the Republic of Korea, Japan, France and Estonia.
3. not recognized by the DPRK.
4. Syria not recognized by 20 states and the League of Arab States.