The ICJ opinion on kosovo: Symphony or cacophony?

• Main Authors: Ahmad, Rusniah, Efevwerhan, David I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Indian Society of International Law 2010
• Subjects: JX International law
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/9622/1/R2.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/9622/; http://www.isil-aca.org/publication.htm

On July 22, the ICJ delivered it s Opinion on the Kosovo unilateral declaration of independence in response to the request by the General Assembly to do so in GA Resolution 63/3 of October 8, 2008. This paper reviews the Opinion, highlighting the major aspects on self-determination and secession.It concludes that while the Court's pronouncements on territorial integrity and the non-prohibition of secession in international law are symphonic and welcome, its failure to examine and pronounce on the availability or not of the right to remedial secession, leaves a cacophony of questions to be answered in that aspect of international law.