The Use of Force in the Protection of Nationals: The Russian Federation’s Intervention in Georgia and Ukraine

Year 2024, Volume: 55 , 1 - 22, 11.12.2024

Güzel Yıldız

https://doi.org/10.58699/tyir.1455980

Abstract

The article focuses on the legality of the Russian Federation using force to protect its own citizens living in former Soviet states. In this context; in the article, the unilateral use of force and the obligation to protect citizens abroad are discussed comprehensively. Considering the humanitarian dimension of the issue, the study argues that the right to protect citizens abroad is not inherently illegal in principle, but it emphasizes the susceptibility of this approach to abuse, even when states claim their purpose is to rescue their citizens. In this regard, the article evaluates the interventions based on the justification of 'protecting citizens abroad' by the Russian Federation in terms of proportionality and necessity criteria. The conclusion of the study is that the illegality of Russia's actions in Crimea and South Ossetia stems not from the absence of a principle of protecting citizens abroad but from the failure to meet the conditions of proportionality and necessity in those interventions. The article concludes by emphasizing that the unclear legal scope of the doctrine has led to unintended consequences in rescue operations for citizens abroad, such as regime change and territorial occupation.

Keywords

Use of Force, Use of Force to Protect Citizens Abroad, Humanitarian Intervention, Russian Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, Occupation of Crimea

Yurt Dışındaki Vatandaşlarını Korumak için Kuvvet Kullanma: Rusya Federasyonu’nun Gürcistan ve Ukrayna’ya Müdahaleleri

Abstract

Makale, Rusya Federasyonu’nun eski Sovyet devletlerinde yaşayan kendi vatandaşlarını korumak gerekçesiyle kuvvet kullanmasının hukuksallığına odaklanmaktadır. Buna bağlı olarak makalede, tek taraflı kuvvet kullanımı ve yurt dışındaki vatandaşlarını koruma yükümlülüğü kapsamlı bir şekilde tartışılmaktadır. Çalışma, konunun insani boyutunu göz önünde bulundurarak yurt dışındaki vatandaşlarını koruma hakkının prensipte hukuk dışı olmadığını savunmakla birlikte devletler amaçlarının kendi vatandaşlarını kurtarmak olduğunu iddia etseler bile bu yolun kötüye kullanılmaya açık olduğunun altını çizmektedir. Bu bağlamda makale, RF’nin, ‘yurt dışındaki vatandaşlarını koruma’ gerekçesine dayandırdığı müdahalelerini orantılılık ve gereklilik kriterleri açısından değerlendirmektedir. Çalışmanın sonucunda, RF’nin Kırım ve Güney Osetya’daki eylemlerinin hukuka aykırı olması, yurtdışındaki vatandaşlarını koruma gibi bir hakkının prensipte var olmamasından değil, söz konusu müdahalelerde orantılılık ve gereklilik koşullarının sağlanmamış olmasından kaynaklandığı tespit edilmiştir. Makale, doktrinin hukuksal kapsamının belirsiz olmasının yurt dışındaki vatandaşlarını kurtarma operasyonlarının rejim değişikliği ve toprak işgali gibi amacını aşan etkilere yol açtığının üzerinde durarak sonuçlanmaktadır.

Keywords

Kuvvet Kullanma, Yurt Dışındaki Vatandaşları Korumak İçin Kuvvet Kullanma, İnsani Müdahale, Rusya Federasyonu, Gürcistan, Ukrayna, Kırım İşgali.

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