AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF HEAD OF STATE IMMUNITY IN THE POST-WESTPHALIAN WORLD ORDER

Year 2023, Issue: 25, 107 - 136, 15.01.2023

Merve Gertik

Abstract

In the era of globalization, the Westphalian concept of state sovereignty is eroding. Although still the sole creator of international law, sovereign states are not the sole actors or subjects of international law anymore. The subjects now include individuals as well as non-state actors. As Westphalian sovereignty is considerably affected by the changes in the world order, inevitably, the privileges derived from it would also be affected. One focus point to observe such influence is the concept of ‘The Head of State Immunity’ which is derived from the immunity granted to states on the basis that equals do not have authority over one another. However, the new dynamics of the international order are more concerned with ending impunity rather than the preservation of jurisdictional immunity, particularly for international crimes. However, despite all the measures taken, it is still difficult to claim that the immunity of the head of state has been entirely abolished. This article analyzes the concept of immunity of the head of state in light of changes in the Post-Westphalian era.

Keywords

individual criminal responsibility, post-westphalia, international criminal court, human rights, head of state immunity

Vestefalya Sonrası Dünya Düzeninde Devlet Başkanlarının Yargı Bağışıklığı Kavramı Üzerine Bir Analiz

Abstract

Küreselleşme çağında, Vestfalyan devlet egemenliği kavramı aşınmaktadır. Egemen devletler, hâlâ uluslararası hukukun tek yaratıcısı olsa da, artık uluslararası hukukun tek aktörü veya öznesi değildir. Uluslararası hukukun süjeleri artık bireyleri olduğu kadar devlet dışı aktörleri de içermektedir. Vestfalya egemenliği, dünya düzenindeki değişimlerden önemli ölçüde etkilendiğinden, egemenlikten kaynaklanan ayrıcalıklar da kaçınılmaz olarak etkilenmiş durumdadır. Bu tür bir etkiyi gözlemlemek için odak noktalarından biri, eşitlerin birbirleri üzerinde yetki sahibi olmadığı temelinde devletlere tanınan dokunulmazlıktan türetilen ‘Devlet Başkanlarının Yargı Bağışıklığı’ kavramıdır. Bununla birlikte, uluslararası düzenin yeni dinamikleri, özellikle uluslararası suçlar bakımından, yargı bağışıklığının korunmasından çok cezasızlığın sona erdirilmesine odaklanmaktadır. Ancak alınan tüm tedbirlere rağmen, devlet başkanının dokunulmazlığının tamamen kaldırıldığını iddia etmek hâlâ güçtür. Bu makale, devlet başkanlarının yargı bağışıklığı kavramını Vestfalya sonrası dönemdeki değişimler ışığında incelemektedir.

Keywords

bireysel cezai sorumluluk, post-vestfalya, uluslararası ceza mahkemesi, insan hakları, devlet başkanı bağışıklığı

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