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López-Jacoiste, Eugenia --- "Autonomy and self-determination in Spain: Catalonia’s claims for independence from the perspective of international law" [2018] ELECD 241; in Hilpold, Peter (ed), "Autonomy and Self-determination" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) 283

Book Title: Autonomy and Self-determination

Editor(s): Hilpold, Peter

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781788111706

Section: Chapter 11

Section Title: Autonomy and self-determination in Spain: Catalonia’s claims for independence from the perspective of international law

Author(s): López-Jacoiste, Eugenia

Number of pages: 33

Abstract/Description:

For some years Catalonia has claimed more autonomy and self-determination. Obviously it is a highly controversial political internal issue in Spain. In this context this chapter analyses in depth the legal requirements of the right of self-determination of peoples taking into account the development of international law in this regard. The basic issue can be summarized as whether or not we are facing a new course on the interpretation of certain classic categories of international law: the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, remedial secession and the right to external and internal self-determination. Despite the developments and understanding of a broad and qualified right of self-determination under international law, the current situation in Catalonia cannot justify secession without undermining Spain's territorial integrity.