Journal of Political Sciences & Public Affairs
Open Access

Abstract

International Administration of Territories and the Dilemma of Accountability

Yacoub M

Two decades post the Cold-War; the World has witnessed a systematic revival of a practice long thought to be extinct-territory administration via an international body to act as a government for running the state/territory. The most prominent examples were the United Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Various criticisms were directed to the International Administrations of Territories; the most prominent was mandating this Administration Authority complete power in running the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary authorities where its decisions are not being subject to monitoring or accountability. Yet, such decisions were mostly in violation of the International law which undermined the core principles of democratic governments, the rule of law and human rights as being the corner stones of International peace and security. This study aims at analyzing the legitimacy of forming international administrations as well as scrutinizing the legal restrictions and commitments thereof. The ramifications of any violations of such restrictions and commitments (The International Human Right Law and The International Humanitarian Law) should be holding these administrations and its members accountable internationally.