The Journal of Human Rights

The Journal of Human Rights

Assessing the Remedial Secession Theory (RST) in Light of Philosophical Schools of International Law: The Battleground of Natural Law and Legal Positivism

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
1 Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sian University, Hamedan, Iran.
2 Ph. D. Candidate in Public International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
Abstract
RST, emerging in the framework of the external right to self-determination of groups characterized as people, is among the most controversial newly developed concepts in international law in general and international minority rights law, in particular. By examining the views of this theory’s proponents and opponents, the footprints of philosophical schools of international law, particularly the two schools of natural law and legal positivism, are seen behind the arguments made by the proponents and opponents. Proponents of this theory can be classified as the adherents of the natural law school and its fundamental principles. Its opponents are considered to be followers of the legal positivism school. Opening the door for entrance and influence of moral values and principles to international law, the adherents of natural law theory regard RST as a last resort for saving the oppressed against an oppressive state and deem it permissible and legitimate. The legal positivism school’s followers, emphasizing the will and interests of states, reject this theory in the framework of positive law and contemporary international law, which is generally and mainly based on the state's consent. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and relying on the related books and articles, this study aimed to assess the RST in the light of natural law and legal positivism schools. 
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