Citizenship in a de facto state. The case of Estonians in Abkhazia

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 16, 1 - 30

Aivar Jürgenson

https://doi.org/10.21488/jocas.1575966

Abstract

In the case of de facto states, among which the international community includes Abkhazia, the international recognition of these countries is a critical issue. Although they have a permanent population, a defined territory and a functioning government, their ability to engage with other states is limited. Abkhazia is recognized by some countries, but there are few opportunities for communication with the majority of countries in the political, economic, educational and social spheres. For inhabitants of Abkhazia, the lack of international recognition also affects their ability to cross borders and travel – it is not possible to cross borders with a passport of an unrecognized state. This also affects ethnic diasporas living in Abkhazia, whose ability to maintain translocal relations with their homeland has been severely disrupted. This article examines the different citizenship options available to the members of the Estonian diaspora in Abkhazia and the limitations imposed by the country's lack of international recognition. The study examines how legal restrictions hinder the maintenance of ties with the homeland and explores possible ways to overcome these obstacles.

Keywords

citizenship laws, border restrictions, ethnic minorities, translocal mobility, multiple citizenship, parent and patron states.

Citizenship in a de Facto State. The Case of Estonians in Abkhazia [De Facto Bir Devlette Vatandaşlık: Abhazya'da Estonların Durumu]

Abstract

Uluslararası toplumun Abhazya'yı da dahil ettiği de facto devletler söz konusu olduğunda, bu ülkelerin uluslararası alanda tanınması kritik bir konudur. Kalıcı bir nüfusa, tanımlanmış bir bölgeye ve işleyen bir hükümete sahip olmalarına rağmen, diğer devletlerle ilişki kurma yetenekleri sınırlıdır. Abhazya bazı ülkeler tarafından tanınıyor, ancak siyasi, ekonomik, eğitim ve sosyal alanlarda ülkelerin çoğuyla iletişim kurmak için çok az olanağı var. Uluslararası tanınırlığın sınırlı olması, Abhazya halkının sınır geçme ve seyahat etme özgürlüğünü de etkiliyor. Bu durum Abhazya'da yaşayan etnik diasporaları da etkilemekte, anavatanlarıyla ilişkilerini sürdürmeleri ciddi şekilde sekteye uğramaktadır. Bu makale, Abhazya'daki Eston diasporası üyeleri için mevcut olan farklı vatandaşlık seçeneklerini ve ülkenin uluslararası tanınma eksikliğinin getirdiği sınırlamaları incelemektedir. Çalışma, yasal kısıtlamaların anavatan ile bağların sürdürülmesini nasıl engellediğini incelemekte ve bu engelleri aşmanın olası yollarını araştırmaktadır.

Keywords

vatandaşlık, sınır kısıtlamaları, etnik azınlıklar, yerel ötesi hareketlilik, çoklu vatandaşlık, ebeveyn ve hami devletler

Supporting Institution

Estonian National Museum

Гражданство в де-факто государстве. Случай эстонцев в Абхазии.

Abstract

В случае де-факто государств, к числу которых международное сообщество относит Абхазию, международное признание этих стран является критически важным вопросом. Хотя у них есть постоянное население, определенная территория и функционирующее правительство, их способность взаимодействовать с другими государствами ограничена. Абхазия признана некоторыми странами, но существует мало возможностей для общения с большинством стран в политической, экономической, образовательной и социальной сферах. Для жителей Абхазии отсутствие международного признания также влияет на их способность пересекать границы и путешествовать. В этой статье рассматриваются различные варианты гражданства, доступные членам эстонской диаспоры в Абхазии, и ограничения, налагаемые отсутствием международного признания страны.

Keywords

Абхазия, паспортизация, гражданство, де-факто государства, эстонская диаспора.

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