Published on occasion of the 100 year anniversary of the Åland Islands’ autonomy, this book brings up and discusses a number of challenging issues, from constitutional and international law perspectives, concerning both the Åland situation and autonomy in general. Among the questions raised are: Is autonomy part of international law and which international organisations may have jurisdiction? Is autonomy a human right or is it about the prevention of violent conflicts? Does the Åland Autonomy constitute a useful model for other minority groups? Do the Åland Islands stand to benefit from anything in international law, be it substantive or procedural?

In 1999 the EU decided to develop its own military capacities for crisis management. This book brings together a group of experts to examine the consequences of this decision on Nordic policy establishments, as well as to shed new light on the defence and security issues that matter for Europe as a whole.

The Aland Islands constitute a very special case in international law. This island territory under Finland's sovereignty has been demilitarised and neutralised for more than one hundred and forty years and autonomous for more than seventy years. In 1921 the Council of the League of Nations laid down international guarantees for the autonomy and Swedish character of Aland, and a multilateral convention on Aland's demilitarisation and neutralisation was concluded that same year. The Convention is still in force, and Aland's autonomy is firmly anchored in both customary international law and Finnish constitutional law. This volume is the first to undertake a comprehensive analysis of Aland's international legal status. Several articles analyse the status and content of this autonomy, and a number of other articles deal with military issues. Perhaps the most topical one is that on the relationship between Aland and the EU. The solution achieved for Aland may provide a valuable model of autonomy. This book is important not only for experts and students of international law but also for anyone who is concerned with territorial autonomy as a possible means for enhancing political rights of minorities.

This study focuses on territorial autonomy, which is often used in different conflict-resolution and minority situations. Four typical elements are identified on the basis of the historical example of the Memel Territory and the so-called Memel case of the PCIJ; distribution of powers, participation through elections and referendums, executive power of territorial autonomy, and international relations. These elements are used for a comparative analysis of the constitutional law that regulates the position of six currently existing special jurisdictions, the Åland Islands in Finalnd, Scotland in the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico in the United States of America, Hong Kong in China, Aceh in Indonesia and Zanzibar in Tanzania. The current sub-state entities examined can be arranged in relation to Memel in a manner that indicates that Hong Kong and the Åland conform to the typical territorial autonomy, while Puerto Rico and Aceh should probably not be understood as territorial autonomies proper. At the same time, the territorial autonomies can be distinguished from federally organized sub-state entities.

The Åland Islands constitute a very special case in international law. This island territory under Finland's sovereignty has been demilitarised and neutralised for more than one hundred and forty years and autonomous for more than seventy years. In 1921 the Council of the League of Nations laid down international guarantees for the autonomy and the Swedish character of Åland, and a multilateral convention on Åland's demilitarisation and neutralisation was concluded in the same year. The convention is still in force and Åland's autonomy is firmly anchored in both customary international law and Finnish constitutional law. This volume is the first to comprehensively analyse Åland's international legal status. Coverage of its articles includes: analyses of the status and content of Åland's autonomy, military issues, and the relationship between Åland and the EU. The solution achieved for Åland may provide a valuable model of autonomy. This book is important not only for experts and students of international law, but for anyone concerned with territorial autonomy as a possible means for enhancing political rights of minorities.

Introduction : the goal and structure of the book -- The legal regulation of the demilitarisation and neutralisation of the Åland islands -- The law of the sea and the demilitarisation of Åland -- Regional security co-operation and the Åland islands -- Outlook and conclusions

Europe has reached a crisis point, with the call for self-determination and more autonomy stronger than it ever has been. In this book, renowned international lawyers give a detailed account of the present state of international law regarding self-determination and autonomy. Autonomy and Self-Determinationoffers readers both an overview of the status quo of legal discussions on the topic and an identification of the most important elements of discussion that could direct future legal developments in this field. This is done through the examination of key issues in abstract and in relation to specific cases such as Catalonia, Italy and Scotland. The book extends past a simple assessment of issues of autonomy and self-determination according to a traditional legal viewpoint, and rather argues that utopian international law ideas are the breeding ground for norms and legal institutions of the future. This insightful book will be an invaluable read for international lawyers and political science scholars. It provides a clear, yet detailed, analysis of the issues Europe is facing regarding autonomy and self-determination in the face of historical context, also making it a useful tool for European history scholars. Contributors include:X. Arzoz, A. Beauséjour, P. Hilpold, H. Hofmeister, E. López-Jacoiste, R. Müllerson, S. Oeter, B. Olmos, B. Roth, M. Suksi, A. Tancredi, D. Turp