ULUSLARARASI HUKUK BAKIŞIYLA KOSOVA’NIN DEVLET OLMA MÜCADELESİ VE MEŞRUİYET SORUNU

Abstract

Kosovo’s establishment as an independent state within the international system is a contentious process that reveals the contradictions between international law and political realities. This study examines Kosovo’s declaration of independence and its statehood process from an international law perspective, analyzing the deep gaps in the legitimacy of this process. Kosovo’s state-building efforts are defended on the basis of universal principles such as humanitarian intervention and the right to self-determination, while simultaneously criticized as examples of selective and interest-driven application of these principles. The process, initiated by NATO’s military intervention, has pushed the boundaries of international law and led to the emergence of new legal frameworks. In this context, the study highlights that Kosovo’s independence journey is a social construct shaped by Western-centered policies and imperialist interventions. Furthermore, the case of Kosovo is assessed as a significant example for understanding the transformation of international law in favor of powerful states, the solidity of its place within the community of states, and its broader implications for the global order.