Book Description

The Aland Islands constitute a very special case in international law. This island territory under Finland's sovereignty has been demilitarised and neutralised for more than one hundred and forty years and autonomous for more than seventy years. In 1921 the Council of the League of Nations laid down international guarantees for the autonomy and Swedish character of Aland, and a multilateral convention on Aland's demilitarisation and neutralisation was concluded that same year. The Convention is still in force, and Aland's autonomy is firmly anchored in both customary international law and Finnish constitutional law. This volume is the first to undertake a comprehensive analysis of Aland's international legal status. Several articles analyse the status and content of this autonomy, and a number of other articles deal with military issues. Perhaps the most topical one is that on the relationship between Aland and the EU. The solution achieved for Aland may provide a valuable model of autonomy. This book is important not only for experts and students of international law but also for anyone who is concerned with territorial autonomy as a possible means for enhancing political rights of minorities.