UK should end its control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean as rapidly as possible, the UN's highest court has said. Mauritius claims it was forced to give up the islands - now a British overseas territory - in 1965 in exchange for independence, which it gained in 1968. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesAlso stated in para 161 of ICJ Opinion – ‘’the subsequent development of international law in regard to non-self-governing territories, as enshrined in the UN Charter made the principle of self-determination applicable to all of them’’
Feb 26th, 2019 - 01:42 pm - Link - Report abuse +1About time! Malvinas next.
Feb 26th, 2019 - 09:54 pm - Link - Report abuse -3The scale of emphasis laid upon the importance of self-determination in the decolonization process, both in the Opinion, and the accompanying Declarations and Separate Opinions was surprising. The right of self-determination, which the ICJ affirmed was applicable to all the NSGTs (no exceptions) now appears to reign supreme. There can be no action regarding a NSGT without the consent of the people.
Feb 26th, 2019 - 11:55 pm - Link - Report abuse +2Needless to say, Argentine lawyers are currently attempting to reinterpret odd sentences in their favour. Such is the way of lawyers (and other parasites).
Perhaps the biggest thing that has not yet attracted much attention was an apparent redefinition of operative para.6 of Res 1514 confining it to NSGTs and being non-retrospective. Oh, and the Opinion mentioned that populations of NSGTs had the right of self-determination; not just 'peoples.'
Will it make much difference? Probably not, but it'll keep the lawyers occupied for months attempting to pick it apart.
“as rapidly as possible”
Feb 28th, 2019 - 03:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As in around year 2054? it can't be done any faster, cause: the rental contract. One can't just evict the tennants without proper notice.
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