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| Credit: The Economist |
The case study is a prime example of anarchy, and why it is important for international relations to have a watchdog. It also exemplifies the arbitrary concept of borders and sovereignty, as well as why they continue to play an important role in politics.
In March of 2014, the aforementioned instability allowed Russian troops to infiltrate the Crimean region, as part of integrating it with Russia on the claims that Crimea "had shown strong support for being a part of Russia". Strong international condemnation against Russia prompted a referendum to be held, where 96% of Crimeans wanted Crimea to be a part of Russia. This referendum was later declared illegitimate, because Russian troops had threatened Crimeans and exuded on a strong military presence to scare voters.
Human Rights Watch, an advocacy NGO, has reported multiple instances that Russian occupation in the Peninsula has led to persecution of Pro-Ukrainian activists and Crimean Tatars, for siding with the opposition. Crimean Tatars are a Muslim minority in Crimea, who have been able to gain some sort of autonomy over Crimea. However, Russian annexation of the region has threatened this power.
Critics - Critics of the Russian annexation have been Crimean Tatars and Pro-Ukrainian activists - not only because of the lack of recognition but due to the discrimination and persecution they have faced. This has violated the Budapest Memorandum, as well as the Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
EU - The EU has been a prominent actor in this conflict, because Russia's annexation has had a large destabilizing effect on Europe. The EU and Ukraine's close relations have led to the EU imposing harsh sanctions on Russia.
Many regard borders as the fundamentals of politics - they govern the power and land a state has. We like to think of borders that remain omniscient, and outside of the influence of actors and people. However, this case study has made it exceedingly clear that borders are just as tangible as we imagine them to be the opposite, and that they are subject to change - especially with superpowers such as Russia.
This is why accountability is important - and why the ICJ and the UN are fundamental for a sense of 'justice' in the international community. Their function is not purely collaborative, and they act as excellent watchdogs to monitor human right violation cases and the respect of borders.
The History
The history of the Peninsula plays an important role in understanding the border dispute. Russia and Ukraine have historically faced a volatile relationship, and this escalated when Former President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to a deal with the EU, which caused a rift in relations with Russia. This led to a strong divide between Ukrainians, where each half wanted to integrate more with either the EU or Russia.In March of 2014, the aforementioned instability allowed Russian troops to infiltrate the Crimean region, as part of integrating it with Russia on the claims that Crimea "had shown strong support for being a part of Russia". Strong international condemnation against Russia prompted a referendum to be held, where 96% of Crimeans wanted Crimea to be a part of Russia. This referendum was later declared illegitimate, because Russian troops had threatened Crimeans and exuded on a strong military presence to scare voters.
Human Rights Watch, an advocacy NGO, has reported multiple instances that Russian occupation in the Peninsula has led to persecution of Pro-Ukrainian activists and Crimean Tatars, for siding with the opposition. Crimean Tatars are a Muslim minority in Crimea, who have been able to gain some sort of autonomy over Crimea. However, Russian annexation of the region has threatened this power.
The Opinions
Supporters - Support of the Russian annexation have mainly been from Pro-Russian separatist movements in Ukraine. Therefore, they have used the argument of 'self determination' (which is a UN human right). They also claim that US support and intervention (by providing support to Viktor Yanukovych) was illegal and violated many of the existing treaties between Ukraine and Russia.Critics - Critics of the Russian annexation have been Crimean Tatars and Pro-Ukrainian activists - not only because of the lack of recognition but due to the discrimination and persecution they have faced. This has violated the Budapest Memorandum, as well as the Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
EU - The EU has been a prominent actor in this conflict, because Russia's annexation has had a large destabilizing effect on Europe. The EU and Ukraine's close relations have led to the EU imposing harsh sanctions on Russia.
The Answer
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| Credit: The Telegraph |
This is why accountability is important - and why the ICJ and the UN are fundamental for a sense of 'justice' in the international community. Their function is not purely collaborative, and they act as excellent watchdogs to monitor human right violation cases and the respect of borders.
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