Misplaced Pages

List of states with limited recognition: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 06:11, 24 September 2010 view sourceAlinor (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers10,385 edits →Partially unrecognized UN member states: clarify← Previous edit Revision as of 07:43, 24 September 2010 view source Alinor (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers10,385 edits →Non-UN member states recognized by at least one UN memberNext edit →
Line 100: Line 100:
| {{flagicon|Palestine}} ] | {{flagicon|Palestine}} ]
| The Palestinian Liberation Organization ] the State of Palestine in Algiers in 1988. The PLO had no control over any part of the proclaimed territory at the time. Today it has limited control over some of this territory through the ] established in 1994 according to the ] with Israel. The exact number of countries recognizing the 1988 proclaimed state is unknown, due to the equivocal nature of many official statements of acknowledgment.<ref>Crawford, James (1999). "Israel (1948-1949) and Palestine (1998-1999): Two Studies in the Creation of States", in Goodwin-Gil G.S. and S. Talmon, , Oxford University Press Inc., New York, pp. 110-115</ref> The PA Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, estimates the number at several dozens.<ref>In an interview to Uri Avneri (), the PA Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad said: "Dozens of countries recognized this state , and the PLO representatives there enjoy the official status of ambassadors. But did this improve the situation of the Palestinians?"</ref> Among the countries that issued clear statements of recognition are the ], member states of the ], and most member states of the ]. As a result of the ] and the ], the Israeli government has transferred certain powers and responsibilities of self-government to the ], which are in effect in parts of the West Bank, and used to be effective in the Gaza Strip before Hamas's takeover. Palestine participates in the ] as a non-member entity with observer status. | The Palestinian Liberation Organization ] the State of Palestine in Algiers in 1988. The PLO had no control over any part of the proclaimed territory at the time. Today it has limited control over some of this territory through the ] established in 1994 according to the ] with Israel. The exact number of countries recognizing the 1988 proclaimed state is unknown, due to the equivocal nature of many official statements of acknowledgment.<ref>Crawford, James (1999). "Israel (1948-1949) and Palestine (1998-1999): Two Studies in the Creation of States", in Goodwin-Gil G.S. and S. Talmon, , Oxford University Press Inc., New York, pp. 110-115</ref> The PA Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, estimates the number at several dozens.<ref>In an interview to Uri Avneri (), the PA Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad said: "Dozens of countries recognized this state , and the PLO representatives there enjoy the official status of ambassadors. But did this improve the situation of the Palestinians?"</ref> Among the countries that issued clear statements of recognition are the ], member states of the ], and most member states of the ]. As a result of the ] and the ], the Israeli government has transferred certain powers and responsibilities of self-government to the ], which are in effect in parts of the West Bank, and used to be effective in the Gaza Strip before Hamas's takeover. Palestine participates in the ] as a non-member entity with observer status.
| {{flag|Israel}} holds the ultimate control<ref>Israel allows the PNA to execute some functions in the ], depending on ] with minimal interference in the ] and maximum in "Area C".</ref> over all of the claimed territories <ref>{{Cite web | {{flag|Israel}} holds the ultimate control<ref>Israel allows the PNA to execute some functions in the ], depending on ] with ] (retaining control of borders: ], ], ]) in the ] and maximum in "Area C".</ref> over all of the claimed territories <ref>{{Cite web
| last = Gold | last = Gold
| first = Dore | first = Dore

Revision as of 07:43, 24 September 2010

  No recognition by any state   Recognized by UN non-members only   UN non-members recognized by at least one UN member   UN member states, not recognized by at least one other UN member state

This list of states with limited recognition gives an overview of contemporary geopolitical entities, that wish to be recognized as sovereign states but do not have complete worldwide diplomatic recognition.

Definition

There are two traditional doctrines that provide interpretations of when a sovereign state should be recognized as a member of the international community. The "declarative" theory defines a state as a person in international law if it meets the following criteria: 1) a defined territory; 2) a permanent population; 3) a government and 4) a capacity to enter into relations with other states. According to declarative theory, an entity's statehood is independent of its recognition by other states. By contrast, the "constitutive" theory defines a state as a person of international law if it is recognized as such by another state that is already a member of the international community.

Several entities reference either or both doctrines in order to legitimize their claims to statehood. There are, for example, entities which meet the declarative criteria (with de facto complete or partial control over their claimed territory, a government and a permanent population), but their statehood is not recognized by one or more other states. Non-recognition is often a result of conflicts with other countries that claim those entities as integral parts of their territory. In other cases, two or more partially recognized entities may claim the same territorial area, with each of them de facto in control of a portion of it (as have been the cases of the Republic of China and People's Republic of China, and North and South Korea). Entities that are only recognized by a minority of the world's states usually reference the declarative doctrine to legitimize their claims. Some states do not establish relations with new nations quickly and thus do not recognize them despite having no dispute and sometimes favorable relations. These are excluded from the list.

There are also entities which do not have control over any territory or do not unequivocally meet the declarative criteria for statehood but have been recognized to exist de jure as sovereign entities by at least one other state. Historically this has happened in the case of the Holy See (1870–1929), Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (during Soviet annexation), among other cases. The recognition of the State of Palestine by several states is a contemporary example.

Some countries on this list, such as Cyprus and Armenia, fulfill the declarative criteria, are recognized by the large majority of other nations and are members of the United Nations, but appear here because one or more other states do not recognize their statehood, due to territorial claims or other conflicts.

See list of historical unrecognized countries for similar entities that have existed in the past. See list of governments in exile for unrecognized governments without control over the territory claimed.

Currently there are 192 United Nations (UN) member states. The Holy See is generally recognized as sovereign in international law, but is not a member of the United Nations (it has, however, observer state status within the organization).

Criteria for inclusion

The criteria for inclusion means a polity must either: have de facto control over a territory, a population, a government, a capacity to enter into relations with other states, claim statehood, and lack recognition from at least one state, or it must be recognized as a state by at least one state and lack recognition from at least one state. Some noteworthy entities that do meet some of these criteria are listed at the bottom of the page.

Present geopolitical entities by level of recognition

Non-UN member states not recognized by any state

Name Status Other claimants Further information References
 Somaliland Somaliland was granted independence by the United Kingdom in 1960 after the decolonization of British Somaliland and merged with Italian Somaliland a few days later to form Somalia. Withdrew from Somalia in 1991. Currently no state recognizes it.  Somalia claims Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory. Foreign relations of Somaliland

Non-UN member states recognized only by non-UN members

Name Status Other claimants Further information References
 Nagorno-Karabakh Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence in 1992. It is currently recognised by one UN non-member: Transnistria.  Azerbaijan claims Nagorno-Karabakh as part of its sovereign territory. Foreign relations of Nagorno-Karabakh
 Transnistria (Pridnestrovie) Transnistria declared its independence in 1990. It is currently recognized by three UN non-members: Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia.  Moldova claims Transnistria as part of its sovereign territory. Disputed status of Transnistria, International recognition of Transnistria

Non-UN member states recognized by at least one UN member

Name Status Other claimants Further information References
 Abkhazia Abkhazia declared its independence in 1992. It is currently recognized by four UN member-states (Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru), and two UN non-member states (South Ossetia and Transnistria).  Georgia claims Abkhazia as part of its sovereign territory. Foreign relations of Abkhazia, International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
 Republic of China (Taiwan) The Republic of China (ROC, commonly known as Taiwan), constitutionally formed in 1912, is currently recognized as a state by 22 UN members and the Holy See. All other UN member states do not officially recognize the ROC as a state; some of them regard its controlled territory as de jure part of the People's Republic of China (PRC) while some others have used careful diplomatic language to avoid taking a position as to whether the current territory of the ROC is part of the PRC.  People's Republic of China claims that the Republic of China no longer exists and claims all of the territory under ROC jurisdiction as part of its sovereign territory. Political status of Taiwan, Foreign relations of the Republic of China
 Kosovo Kosovo declared its independence in 2008. It is currently recognized by UN members and one UN non-member state, the Republic of China (Taiwan), although Kosovo does not recognize the ROC. The United Nations, as stipulated in Security Council Resolution 1244, has administered the territory since 1999 through the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, with cooperation from the European Union since 2008.  Serbia claims Kosovo as part of its sovereign territory. Foreign relations of Kosovo, International recognition of Kosovo
 Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus declared its independence in 1983. It is currently recognized by one UN member, Turkey. The Organisation of the Islamic Conference has granted Northern Cyprus observer status under the name "Turkish Cypriot State". United Nations Security Council Resolution 541 defines the declaration of independence of Northern Cyprus as legally invalid.  Cyprus claims Northern Cyprus as part of its sovereign territory. Foreign relations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
State of Palestine State of Palestine The Palestinian Liberation Organization declared the State of Palestine in Algiers in 1988. The PLO had no control over any part of the proclaimed territory at the time. Today it has limited control over some of this territory through the Palestinian Authority established in 1994 according to the Oslo Accords with Israel. The exact number of countries recognizing the 1988 proclaimed state is unknown, due to the equivocal nature of many official statements of acknowledgment. The PA Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, estimates the number at several dozens. Among the countries that issued clear statements of recognition are the Holy See, member states of the Arab League, and most member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. As a result of the Oslo Accords and the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, the Israeli government has transferred certain powers and responsibilities of self-government to the Palestinian National Authority, which are in effect in parts of the West Bank, and used to be effective in the Gaza Strip before Hamas's takeover. Palestine participates in the United Nations as a non-member entity with observer status.  Israel holds the ultimate control over all of the claimed territories and considers them disputed territory. Foreign relations of the Palestinian National Authority
 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Both the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Morocco claim sovereignty over the territory of Western Sahara. The SADR, which declared its independence in 1976, has been recognised by 83 UN members and the African Union. Several states, however, have since retracted or suspended recognition, pending the outcome of a referendum on self-determination, with 58 retaining diplomatic ties. Western Sahara is currently regarded as de jure part of Morocco by 25 UN members and the Arab League. It is currently listed on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.  Morocco claims Western Sahara as part of its sovereign territory. Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Legal status of Western Sahara
 South Ossetia South Ossetia declared its independence in 1991. It is currently recognized by four UN member-states (Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru), and two non-UN member states (Abkhazia and Transnistria).  Georgia claims South Ossetia as part of its sovereign territory. Foreign relations of South Ossetia, International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

^a Both the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China claim sovereignty over the whole of China, stating China is de jure a single sovereign entity encompassing both the area currently controlled by the PRC and the area currently controlled by the ROC.

Partially unrecognized UN member states

Name Status Other claimants Further information References
 Armenia Armenia, independent since 1991, is currently not recognized by one UN member, Pakistan, as Pakistan has a position of supporting Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Foreign relations of Armenia
 People's Republic of China (PRC) The People's Republic of China (PRC), proclaimed in 1949, is currently not recognized by one UN non-member, the Republic of China (ROC, commonly known as Taiwan). The PRC does not accept diplomatic relations with states that recognize the ROC (currently 22 UN member states and the Holy See). None of these states officially recognize the PRC as a state, though certain governments have made statements expressing an interest in official relations with both the PRC and the ROC. According to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, the PRC is the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations.  Republic of China considers itself the sole legal government over all of China. PRC's diplomatic relations, Foreign relations of the PRC
 Cyprus Cyprus, independent since 1960, is currently not recognized by one UN member (Turkey) and one non-member (Northern Cyprus), due to the ongoing civil dispute over the island.  Northern Cyprus claims part of the island of Cyprus Foreign relations of Cyprus
 Israel Israel, independent since 1948, is currently not recognized by 20 UN members and one UN non-member, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (see Arab-Israeli conflict). It is recognized by the Palestine Liberation Organization, which claims the right to set up a state in territory currently controlled by Israel. The Palestine Liberation Organization claims the right to establish a state in territory currently held by Israel, specifically in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Foreign relations of Israel
 North Korea North Korea, independent since 1948, is currently not recognized by two UN members: Japan and South Korea.  South Korea claims to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. Foreign relations of North Korea.
 South Korea South Korea, independent since 1948, is currently not recognized by one UN member, North Korea.  North Korea claims to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. Foreign relations of South Korea

^a Both the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China claim sovereignty over the whole of China, stating China is de jure a single sovereign entity encompassing both the area currently controlled by the PRC and the area currently controlled by the ROC.

Unofficial relations

Some states maintain informal (officially non-diplomatic) relations with states that do not officially recognize them. The Republic of China (Taiwan) is one such state, as it maintains unofficial relations with many other states through its Economic and Cultural Offices, which allow regular consular services. This allows the ROC to have economic relations even with states that do not formally recognise it. A total of 56 states, including Germany, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom, maintain some form of unofficial mission in the ROC.

Excluded entities

  • The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law that is currently recognized as such by 110 UN member states and the Holy See, through the establishment of diplomatic or "official" relations. The order participates in the United Nations as an international organization with permanent observer status. However, it is a non-territorial entity and as such does not define itself as a state.
  • By definition, the list does not include uncontacted peoples who exercise varying degrees of de facto sovereignty over the areas under their control, but either live in societies that cannot be defined as states or whose status as such are currently too data deficient to be definitively known.
  • Entities considered to be micronations are not included. Even though micronations generally claim to be sovereign and independent, it is often up to debate whether a micronation truly controls its claimed territory. Micronations are usually not considered of geopolitical relevance. For a complete list, see list of micronations.

See also

References

  1. Thomas D. Grant, The recognition of states: law and practice in debate and evolution (Westport, Connecticut: Praeger, 1999), chapter 1.
  2. "Non-member State". Un.org. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  3. BBC Country Profiles: Regions and territories: Somaliland. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
  4. BBC Country Profiles: Regions and territories: Nagorno-Karabakh. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
  5. Template:Ru iconTransnistria wants to join Russia (translated title), September 2008.
  6. Template:Ru iconMoldova, September 2008.
  7. ^ "In detail: The foreign policy of Pridnestrovie". Pridnestrovie.net. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  8. "Abkhazia: Ten Years On". BBC 2. 2001. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  9. ^ South Ossetia opens embassy in Abkhazia The Tiraspol Times
  10. Clogg, Rachel (2001). "Abkhazia: Ten Years On". Conciliation Resources. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
  11. ^ Russia recognises Georgian rebels - BBC, 2008-08-26
  12. ^ "Venezuela's Chavez draws closer to Moscow". Reuters. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  13. John Pike. "Georgia mocks Nauru's recognition of Abkhazia". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  14. Lewis, Joe (2002-08-04). "Taiwan Independence". Digital Freedom Network. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  15. "Kosovo MPs proclaim independence". BBC News. 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  16. "Kosovo" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  17. "Security Council resolution 220 (1966) on Cyprus". Un.int. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  18. Hadar, Leon (2005-11-16). "In Praise of 'Virtual States'". AntiWar. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  19. Crawford, James (1999). "Israel (1948-1949) and Palestine (1998-1999): Two Studies in the Creation of States", in Goodwin-Gil G.S. and S. Talmon, The Reality of International Law: Essays in Honour of Ian Brownlie, Oxford University Press Inc., New York, pp. 110-115
  20. In an interview to Uri Avneri (14 April 2010), the PA Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad said: "Dozens of countries recognized this state , and the PLO representatives there enjoy the official status of ambassadors. But did this improve the situation of the Palestinians?"
  21. Israel allows the PNA to execute some functions in the Palestinian territories, depending on special area classification with minimal interference (retaining control of borders: air, sea beyond internal waters, land) in the Gaza strip and maximum in "Area C".
  22. Gold, Dore (26 August 2005). "Legal Acrobatics: The Palestinian Claim that Gaza is Still "Occupied" Even After Israel Withdraws". Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 5, No. 3. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-07-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. Bell, Abraham (28 January 2008). "International Law and Gaza: The Assault on Israel's Right to Self-Defense". Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 7, No. 29. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  24. "Address by Foreign Minister Livni to the 8th Herzliya Conference" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. 22 January 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  25. Salih, Zak M. (17 November 2005). "Panelists Disagree Over Gaza's Occupation Status". University of Virginia School of Law. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  26. "Israel: 'Disengagement' Will Not End Gaza Occupation". Human Rights Watch. 29 October 2004. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  27. Official website of the Palestinian National Authority. The PNA has publicly acknowledged recognition from 94 states, including the former Yugoslavia.
  28. Venezuela Pledges Support for Palestinian Statehood during Abbas Visit, November 2009.
  29. Costa Rica Recognizes Palestinian State, February 2008.
  30. "South African Representative Office to the Palestinian National Authority". Sarep.org. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  31. "Embassy of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Central Asia and Azerbaijan". Palestineuzbek.com. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  32. "Embassies of Palestine". Webgaza.net. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  33. "Embassy of the State of Palestine in Bratislava". Palestine.sk. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  34. Template:Ar icon "List of states recognising the SADR". Government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. 2006. Retrieved 2010-01-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) Flags listed alongside date of recognition. Most of these states have since suspended their relations.
  35. "About Western Sahara". Australia Western Sahara Association. 2006. Retrieved 2010-01-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  36. Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (1976-02-27). "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic". Western Sahara Online. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  37. http://lenta.ru/news/2009/12/16/nauru/
  38. Stojanovic, Srdjan (2003-09-23). "OCHA Situation Report". Center for International Disaster Information. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  39. Pakistan Worldview - Report 21 - Visit to Azerbaijan Senate of Pakistan — Senate foreign relations committee, 2008
  40. Nilufer Bakhtiyar: "For Azerbaijan Pakistan does not recognize Armenia as a country" 13 September 2006 - Today.Az
  41. Taiwan cuts ties with Costa Rica over recognition for China
  42. "Constitution of the People's Republic of China". International Human Rights Treaties and Documents Database. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  43. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/nt/553/553930/553930en.pdf
  44. CIA World Factbook (2008-02-28). "Cyprus". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  45. "Cyprus exists without Turkey's recognition: president". XINHUA. 2005-10-01. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  46. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/studies/download.do?file=20800#search=%20Turkey
  47. "Khartoum Resolution". Council on Foreign Relations.
  48. Government of Israel (1948-05-14). "Declaration of Israel's Independence 1948". Yale University. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  49. "'Reply' Online Book Chapter 1". Mythsandfacts.org. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  50. ^ "Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea". Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  51. "Declaration of Independence". TIME. 1966-08-19. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  52. Scofield, David (2005-01-04). "Seoul's double-talk on reunification". Asia Times. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  53. US Library of Congress (2000-10-07). "World War II and Korea". Country Studies. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  54. Sterngold, James (1994-09-03). "China, Backing North Korea, Quits Armistice Commission". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  55. "Germany - Countries A to Z". Auswaertiges-amt.de. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  56. "Ministero degli Affari Esteri - Rappresentanze - Ambasciate Consolati e Uffici di promozione". Esteri.it. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  58. "Find an Embassy". Fco.gov.uk. 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  59. http://www.un.int/orderofmalta/orderun2.html
  60. http://books.google.com/books?id=cc3XzkFt-IUC&pg=PA218&dq=order+of+malta&lr=&cd=1#v=onepage&q=order%20of%20malta&f=false
  61. asamblea.racsa.co.cr/proyecto/15300/15333.doc
  62. http://www.glin.gov/view.action?glinID=108478
  63. http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=2473
  64. http://knol.google.com/k/orden-de-malta#
  65. http://www.analitica.com/vam/1999.05/sociedad/01.htm

Template:Link FL Template:Link FL

Categories: