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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Statehood (international law)
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A quick definition of Statehood (international law):
Statehood (international law): To be considered a state under international law, a place must have land, people living there, and be recognized by other countries. In the past, having a government was also required.
A more thorough explanation:
Statehood in international law refers to the attributes that a territory must possess in order to be recognized as a sovereign state by other countries. The traditional elements of statehood include:
- Territory: A defined land area with clear boundaries.
- Population: A group of people who live within the defined territory.
- Recognition by other states: Other countries must acknowledge the existence of the state and its government.
Previously, the elements of statehood also included the presence of a government, but this is no longer considered a necessary requirement.
For example, South Sudan became a sovereign state in 2011 after gaining independence from Sudan. It met the traditional elements of statehood by having a defined territory, a population, and recognition from other countries.
Another example is Palestine, which has been seeking recognition as a sovereign state. It has a defined territory and a population, but its recognition by other countries is still a matter of debate and controversy.