Towards International Personality

Description

br In the 20supthsup century, several important developments took place in the field of the regional and international protection of minorities and indigenous peoples. This book discusses the consequences of these developments for the position of minorities and indigenous peoples in international law. Based on the concept of international personality as formulated by the International Court of Justice in theiiiReparation for Injuriesi case, a scale is developed which enables us to determine the position of minorities and indigenous peoples in international law.brbr As far as minorities are concerned, it turns out that the obstacles on their road to international personality are of a political rather than of a sociological or juridical nature. In other words, minorities as such could be bearers of rights and duties if only the international legal order would allow them to.brbr Compared with minorities, a position for indigenous peoples in international law is much more accepted by the international legal order. As the recent establishment of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues shows, indigenous peoples are increasingly recognised as actors in the international realm.brbr The divergence between the positions of minorities and indigenous peoples is evident and can, to a certain extent, be explained. But can it also be justifiedbrbr brbr brbr brbr brbr brbr brbr brbr brbr br