ABSTRACT

This chapter deals with the ways in which parent and other states try to prevent secessionist territories from gaining broad international recognition. It identifies four main elements for a counter-recognition strategy: states continue to claim sovereignty over the seceding territory; formal diplomatic efforts to prevent the territory from being recognised bilaterally by other states and preventing the territory from joining regional and international organisations are pursued; even if the seceding territory does not receive widespread recognition, or join various international organisations, ‘creeping’ legitimisation on the international stage can occur, and the parent state therefore needs to ensure that the territory does not gradually gain acceptance; and there is a range of legal steps that can be taken to shore up a claim to a sovereignty over a breakaway territory.