The Problem of Non-State Actors Status Under International Law

Abstract

The amount of non-state actors and their influence at the end of the XX centuries increased rapidly in various international areas. Thereby, non-state actors became one of the most prominent international actors on a level with states but with limited legal subjectivity. Moreover, this limited legal subjectivity does not give a huge scope of rights and does not impose full obligations with regard to following all international rules in their practice. In this respect, the creation of the unified definition of non-state actors for further its implementation as a legally binding is vital for all international community. Moreover, it should be noted that there is a vital necessity to determine the status of the non-state actors in specific areas of international law namely: the role of the non-state actors in the law-making process and possible applicability of international humanitarian law to non-state actors. From the results of research, it should be mentioned that the unified definition of non-state actors that was given in this Master thesis would be appropriate for recognition by the international community as legally binding. Moreover, despite the fact that non-state actors do not have a direct impact on the international law-making process they found out another possible option -to influence states and participate in the law-making process as an advisor in various fields. Also, it is necessary to emphasize that international humanitarian law in limited scope is applicable to non-state actors.