Tatjana Papic | Union University Belgrade (original) (raw)
Papers by Tatjana Papic
European review of public law, 2017
Oxford University Press eBooks, Mar 19, 2015
Philosophy of law and general theory of law, 2021
This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a... more This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a State loses control over parts of its territory. It argues that the jurisprudence of the European Court for Human Rights, which insists on residual positive obligations based in sovereign title over territory, is problematic and needs to be rethought. The Court’s current approach is not only likely to provoke backlash, since it requires it to decide politically explosive questions of sovereign title, but does so for very little practical benefit for the protection of human rights. The article therefore explores more preferable alternatives.
Pravni zapisi, 2011
Članak analizira definiciju međunarodnih organizacija koju je Komisija za međunarodno pravo Ujedi... more Članak analizira definiciju međunarodnih organizacija koju je Komisija za međunarodno pravo Ujedinjenih nacija (ILC) uobličila za potrebe ustanovljavanja pravila o odgovornosti međunarodnih organizacija, kako bi utvrdio da li je ona u saglasnosti s praksom i doktrinom međunarodnog prava. Pored toga, članak ispituje da li je ova definicija odgovarajuća za potrebe primene pravila o odgovornosti međunarodnih organizacija. Ključne reči: Definicija međunarodne organizacije, elementi definicije međunarodne organizacije, Komisija za međunarodno pravo, Nacrt članova o odgovornosti međunarodnih organizacija, međunarodnopravni subjektivitet, delegirani subjektivitet, inherentni subjektivitet, implicirani subjektivitet, članstvo u međunarodnim organizacijama. * Docentkinja na predmetu Međunarodno javno pravo na Pravnom fakultetu Univerziteta Union u Beogradu Zahvaljujem Vojinu Dimitrijeviću, Vladimiru Đeriću i Marku Milanoviću na svim savetima. Sve greške su moje.
Pravni zapisi, 2021
The paper discusses uncertainty in international law from the perspective of its indeterminate ru... more The paper discusses uncertainty in international law from the perspective of its indeterminate rules against an often held view that such rules are bad news for international law. First, it shows that indeterminate rules are not a pathology, but inevitable in international law due to the diversity of states, their different interests, as well as complexities of some of the issues those norms attempt to regulate. Second, the paper claims that there is an upside in indeterminate rules if international law is conceptualized through its argumentative side. These values are explained through concrete examples of indeterminate provisions from the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the UNSC Resolution 2249, a classical example of "constructively ambiguous" text. Relying on the works of Waldron and Hakimi, the paper explains how indeterminate rules accommodate disagreements, and consequently provide at least minimal regulation of certain contested issues, sustain international community, and, moreover, demonstrate how international law operates.
American Journal of International Law, 2021
The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or Court) in Makuchyan and Minasyan v. ... more The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or Court) in Makuchyan and Minasyan v. Azerbaijan and Hungary is remarkable both on account of its facts and the peculiar legal issues it raised. In 2004, an ax-wielding Azerbaijani army officer (R.S.) beheaded one Armenian officer, and attempted to kill another, while attending a NATO-organized English language course in Budapest, Hungary. R.S. was prosecuted in Hungary and given a life sentence. Eight years later, R.S. was transferred to Azerbaijan to serve the remainder of his sentence. However, upon his arrival, R.S. received a hero's welcome. He was released, pardoned, promoted, and awarded salary arrears for the period spent in prison, as well as the use of a state apartment in the capital. Many high-ranking Azerbaijani officials expressed their approval of R.S.'s conduct and pardon. (The long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan of course looms in the background of this story.)
Social Science Research Network, Feb 15, 2021
Social Science Research Network, Aug 11, 2008
European review of public law, 2017
Clanak analizira međunarodnopravne akspekte odluke Ustavnog suda Srbije (USS) o odbacivanju zahte... more Clanak analizira međunarodnopravne akspekte odluke Ustavnog suda Srbije (USS) o odbacivanju zahteva za ocenu ustavnosti i zakonitosti Prvog sporazuma o nacelima normalizacije odnosa između Beograda i Pristine (Briselski sporazum). Stav Suda je bio da se on ne predstavlja kao ratifikovani međunarodni ugovor, nego politicki sporazum, te da stoga nema nadležnost da razmatra njegovu ustavnost i zakonitost. Iako se konacni zakljucak USS o prirodi Briselskog sporazuma može smatrati ispravnim, clanak pokazuje da je obrazloženje takvog zakljucka problematicno sa stanovista međunarodnog prava. Clanak pokazuje i kako je USS trebalo da resava pitanja prirode Briselskog sporazuma, primenjujuci opsta pravila o tumacenju međunarodnih sporazuma.
International Legal Materials, 2002
International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 2018
This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a... more This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a State loses control over parts of its territory. It argues that the jurisprudence of the European Court for Human Rights, which insists on residual positive obligations based in sovereign title over territory, is problematic and needs to be rethought. The Court's current approach is not only likely to provoke backlash, since it requires it to decide politically explosive questions of sovereign title, but does so for very little practical benefit for the protection of human rights. The article therefore explores more preferable alternatives.
Hague Journal on the Rule of Law, 2018
This article argues that the Constitutional Court of Serbia has only marginal role in political a... more This article argues that the Constitutional Court of Serbia has only marginal role in political and legal life of the Serbian society and, consequently, very modest impact on the process of democratic transition and consolidation. This conclusion is drawn on the basis of the analysis of the Court’s institutional design, substantive constitutional framework and selected cases that involved thorny constitutional and political issues, as well as issues of the country’s compliance with European standards of parliamentary democracy and human rights protection. The article demonstrates how the Court’s deference to the political majority in power and, in particular, the delaying and avoiding strategies it employs, make it irrelevant in the process of democratic consolidation. Yet, the Court plays a more relevant role in the field of the protection of human rights (constitutional complaints competence). However, these are cases which usually do not involve major political interests, so the ...
Anali Pravnog fakulteta u Beogradu, 2016
Део истраживања и анализе за овај чланак је настао у оквиру истраживачког пројекта "Судови креато... more Део истраживања и анализе за овај чланак је настао у оквиру истраживачког пројекта "Судови креатори политике: Разматрање улоге уставних судова као носилаца промена на Западног Балкану", под окриљем Регионалног програма за унапређење истраживања на Западном Балкану (Regional Research Promotion Programme for Western Balkans) у периоду од 2014. до 2016. године који подржавају Швајцарска агенцијa за развој и сарадњу (SDC) и Универзитет у Фрибуру.
![Research paper thumbnail of INTERNATIONAL LAW ASPECTS OF THE DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF SERBIA ON CONSTITUTIONALITY AND LEGALITY OF THE BRUSSELS AGREEMENT [In original: МЕЂУНАРОДНОПРАВНИ АСПЕКТИ ОДЛУКЕ УСТАВНОГ СУДА СРБИЈЕ О УСТАВНОСТИ И ЗАКОНИТОСТИ БРИСЕЛСКОГ СПОРАЗУМА]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/53969805/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](This article deals with international law aspects of the decision of the Constitutional Court of ... more This article deals with international law aspects of the decision of the Constitutional Court of Serbia (CCS) to dismiss a request for assessment of constitutionality and legality of the First agreement of principles governing the normalization of relations (Brussels Agreement) accepted by representatives of Serbia and Kosovo on 19 April 2013. The CCS ruled inter alia that it did not have jurisdiction to consider constitutionality and legality of the Brussels Agreement since it was not a ratified international treaty, but a political agreement. The authors consider that the CCS ruling was correct one, but that its reasoning was flawed from international law perspective. The CCS chose to determine the nature of the Brussels Agreement starting from the definition of international treaty in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which inter alia provides that international treaty is an international agreement concluded by states. This led to a discussion of whether Kosovo is a state, in which the CSS adopted positions that are at variance with applicable rules of international law. The authors then show that CSS had at least two different lines of reasoning that would lead it to the same conclusion, but without the problems inherent in the approach actually chosen by the court. In particular, the conclusion that the Brussels Agreement is a political agreement can be reached through customary rules of interpretation contained in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
In original:
Чланак анализира међународноправне акспекте одлуке Уставног суда Србије (УСС) о одбацивању захтева за оцену уставности и законитости Првог споразума о начелима нормализације односа између Београда и Приштине (Бри-селски споразум). Став Суда је био да се он не представља као ратификовани међународни уговор, него политички споразум, те да стога нема надлежност да разматра његову уставност и законитост. Иако се коначни закључак УСС о природи Бриселског споразума може сматрати исправним, чланак показује да је образложење таквог закључка проблематично са становишта међународног права. Чланак показује и како је УСС требало да решава питања природе Бриселског споразума, примењујући општа правила о тумачењу међународних споразума.
Anali Pravnog fakulteta u Beogradu, 2016
This paper discusses different issues pertaining to a 2012 landmark decision of the Constitutiona... more This paper discusses different issues pertaining to a 2012 landmark decision of the Constitutional Court of Serbia on the legal recognition of surgical gender reassignment. In this case, the SCC made a substantial contribution to the protection of human rights, in general, and an important contribution for the protection of the rights of transgender persons, in particular. The former was achieved by the interpretation that art. 23 of the Constitution on the right to dignity and free development of individuals included protection of the right to privacy and family life (which was omitted in the list of rights guaranteed by the Constitution), interpreting the scope of this right in accordance with ECtHR standards. The latter was done by analogous application of the existing Act on Public Registries to situations in which medical gender reassignment was conducted to enable the necessary changes be made in the birth register. By the virtue of this, the SCC took an active approach in filling a lacuna in the Serbian legal system. This paper also strives to examine impact of the SCC decision on the protection of rights of transgender persons and the current normative setting in respect to this vulnerable group in Serbia. It shows that the decision of the SCC remains the only legal basis on which transgender persons who have undergone a gender reassignment operation in Serbia can rely upon. However, bearing in mind Serbia's EU aspiration and the fact that the EU Commission has been continuously noting that Serbia lacks in regulation in this field, one should expect improvements, since EU integration seems to be the most effective tool for legislative and policy changes in Serbia. * Associate Professor, Union University Faculty of Law, Belgrade; tatjana.pap-ic@pravnifakultet.rs. I am very grateful to Vladimir Đerić, Marko Milanović, Jelena Simić, Jovana Stopić and anonymous reviewers of the Annals for their useful comments.
European review of public law, 2017
Oxford University Press eBooks, Mar 19, 2015
Philosophy of law and general theory of law, 2021
This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a... more This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a State loses control over parts of its territory. It argues that the jurisprudence of the European Court for Human Rights, which insists on residual positive obligations based in sovereign title over territory, is problematic and needs to be rethought. The Court’s current approach is not only likely to provoke backlash, since it requires it to decide politically explosive questions of sovereign title, but does so for very little practical benefit for the protection of human rights. The article therefore explores more preferable alternatives.
Pravni zapisi, 2011
Članak analizira definiciju međunarodnih organizacija koju je Komisija za međunarodno pravo Ujedi... more Članak analizira definiciju međunarodnih organizacija koju je Komisija za međunarodno pravo Ujedinjenih nacija (ILC) uobličila za potrebe ustanovljavanja pravila o odgovornosti međunarodnih organizacija, kako bi utvrdio da li je ona u saglasnosti s praksom i doktrinom međunarodnog prava. Pored toga, članak ispituje da li je ova definicija odgovarajuća za potrebe primene pravila o odgovornosti međunarodnih organizacija. Ključne reči: Definicija međunarodne organizacije, elementi definicije međunarodne organizacije, Komisija za međunarodno pravo, Nacrt članova o odgovornosti međunarodnih organizacija, međunarodnopravni subjektivitet, delegirani subjektivitet, inherentni subjektivitet, implicirani subjektivitet, članstvo u međunarodnim organizacijama. * Docentkinja na predmetu Međunarodno javno pravo na Pravnom fakultetu Univerziteta Union u Beogradu Zahvaljujem Vojinu Dimitrijeviću, Vladimiru Đeriću i Marku Milanoviću na svim savetima. Sve greške su moje.
Pravni zapisi, 2021
The paper discusses uncertainty in international law from the perspective of its indeterminate ru... more The paper discusses uncertainty in international law from the perspective of its indeterminate rules against an often held view that such rules are bad news for international law. First, it shows that indeterminate rules are not a pathology, but inevitable in international law due to the diversity of states, their different interests, as well as complexities of some of the issues those norms attempt to regulate. Second, the paper claims that there is an upside in indeterminate rules if international law is conceptualized through its argumentative side. These values are explained through concrete examples of indeterminate provisions from the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the UNSC Resolution 2249, a classical example of "constructively ambiguous" text. Relying on the works of Waldron and Hakimi, the paper explains how indeterminate rules accommodate disagreements, and consequently provide at least minimal regulation of certain contested issues, sustain international community, and, moreover, demonstrate how international law operates.
American Journal of International Law, 2021
The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or Court) in Makuchyan and Minasyan v. ... more The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or Court) in Makuchyan and Minasyan v. Azerbaijan and Hungary is remarkable both on account of its facts and the peculiar legal issues it raised. In 2004, an ax-wielding Azerbaijani army officer (R.S.) beheaded one Armenian officer, and attempted to kill another, while attending a NATO-organized English language course in Budapest, Hungary. R.S. was prosecuted in Hungary and given a life sentence. Eight years later, R.S. was transferred to Azerbaijan to serve the remainder of his sentence. However, upon his arrival, R.S. received a hero's welcome. He was released, pardoned, promoted, and awarded salary arrears for the period spent in prison, as well as the use of a state apartment in the capital. Many high-ranking Azerbaijani officials expressed their approval of R.S.'s conduct and pardon. (The long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan of course looms in the background of this story.)
Social Science Research Network, Feb 15, 2021
Social Science Research Network, Aug 11, 2008
European review of public law, 2017
Clanak analizira međunarodnopravne akspekte odluke Ustavnog suda Srbije (USS) o odbacivanju zahte... more Clanak analizira međunarodnopravne akspekte odluke Ustavnog suda Srbije (USS) o odbacivanju zahteva za ocenu ustavnosti i zakonitosti Prvog sporazuma o nacelima normalizacije odnosa između Beograda i Pristine (Briselski sporazum). Stav Suda je bio da se on ne predstavlja kao ratifikovani međunarodni ugovor, nego politicki sporazum, te da stoga nema nadležnost da razmatra njegovu ustavnost i zakonitost. Iako se konacni zakljucak USS o prirodi Briselskog sporazuma može smatrati ispravnim, clanak pokazuje da je obrazloženje takvog zakljucka problematicno sa stanovista međunarodnog prava. Clanak pokazuje i kako je USS trebalo da resava pitanja prirode Briselskog sporazuma, primenjujuci opsta pravila o tumacenju međunarodnih sporazuma.
International Legal Materials, 2002
International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 2018
This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a... more This article examines the applicability of the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) when a State loses control over parts of its territory. It argues that the jurisprudence of the European Court for Human Rights, which insists on residual positive obligations based in sovereign title over territory, is problematic and needs to be rethought. The Court's current approach is not only likely to provoke backlash, since it requires it to decide politically explosive questions of sovereign title, but does so for very little practical benefit for the protection of human rights. The article therefore explores more preferable alternatives.
Hague Journal on the Rule of Law, 2018
This article argues that the Constitutional Court of Serbia has only marginal role in political a... more This article argues that the Constitutional Court of Serbia has only marginal role in political and legal life of the Serbian society and, consequently, very modest impact on the process of democratic transition and consolidation. This conclusion is drawn on the basis of the analysis of the Court’s institutional design, substantive constitutional framework and selected cases that involved thorny constitutional and political issues, as well as issues of the country’s compliance with European standards of parliamentary democracy and human rights protection. The article demonstrates how the Court’s deference to the political majority in power and, in particular, the delaying and avoiding strategies it employs, make it irrelevant in the process of democratic consolidation. Yet, the Court plays a more relevant role in the field of the protection of human rights (constitutional complaints competence). However, these are cases which usually do not involve major political interests, so the ...
Anali Pravnog fakulteta u Beogradu, 2016
Део истраживања и анализе за овај чланак је настао у оквиру истраживачког пројекта "Судови креато... more Део истраживања и анализе за овај чланак је настао у оквиру истраживачког пројекта "Судови креатори политике: Разматрање улоге уставних судова као носилаца промена на Западног Балкану", под окриљем Регионалног програма за унапређење истраживања на Западном Балкану (Regional Research Promotion Programme for Western Balkans) у периоду од 2014. до 2016. године који подржавају Швајцарска агенцијa за развој и сарадњу (SDC) и Универзитет у Фрибуру.
This article deals with international law aspects of the decision of the Constitutional Court of ... more This article deals with international law aspects of the decision of the Constitutional Court of Serbia (CCS) to dismiss a request for assessment of constitutionality and legality of the First agreement of principles governing the normalization of relations (Brussels Agreement) accepted by representatives of Serbia and Kosovo on 19 April 2013. The CCS ruled inter alia that it did not have jurisdiction to consider constitutionality and legality of the Brussels Agreement since it was not a ratified international treaty, but a political agreement. The authors consider that the CCS ruling was correct one, but that its reasoning was flawed from international law perspective. The CCS chose to determine the nature of the Brussels Agreement starting from the definition of international treaty in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which inter alia provides that international treaty is an international agreement concluded by states. This led to a discussion of whether Kosovo is a state, in which the CSS adopted positions that are at variance with applicable rules of international law. The authors then show that CSS had at least two different lines of reasoning that would lead it to the same conclusion, but without the problems inherent in the approach actually chosen by the court. In particular, the conclusion that the Brussels Agreement is a political agreement can be reached through customary rules of interpretation contained in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
In original:
Чланак анализира међународноправне акспекте одлуке Уставног суда Србије (УСС) о одбацивању захтева за оцену уставности и законитости Првог споразума о начелима нормализације односа између Београда и Приштине (Бри-селски споразум). Став Суда је био да се он не представља као ратификовани међународни уговор, него политички споразум, те да стога нема надлежност да разматра његову уставност и законитост. Иако се коначни закључак УСС о природи Бриселског споразума може сматрати исправним, чланак показује да је образложење таквог закључка проблематично са становишта међународног права. Чланак показује и како је УСС требало да решава питања природе Бриселског споразума, примењујући општа правила о тумачењу међународних споразума.
Anali Pravnog fakulteta u Beogradu, 2016
This paper discusses different issues pertaining to a 2012 landmark decision of the Constitutiona... more This paper discusses different issues pertaining to a 2012 landmark decision of the Constitutional Court of Serbia on the legal recognition of surgical gender reassignment. In this case, the SCC made a substantial contribution to the protection of human rights, in general, and an important contribution for the protection of the rights of transgender persons, in particular. The former was achieved by the interpretation that art. 23 of the Constitution on the right to dignity and free development of individuals included protection of the right to privacy and family life (which was omitted in the list of rights guaranteed by the Constitution), interpreting the scope of this right in accordance with ECtHR standards. The latter was done by analogous application of the existing Act on Public Registries to situations in which medical gender reassignment was conducted to enable the necessary changes be made in the birth register. By the virtue of this, the SCC took an active approach in filling a lacuna in the Serbian legal system. This paper also strives to examine impact of the SCC decision on the protection of rights of transgender persons and the current normative setting in respect to this vulnerable group in Serbia. It shows that the decision of the SCC remains the only legal basis on which transgender persons who have undergone a gender reassignment operation in Serbia can rely upon. However, bearing in mind Serbia's EU aspiration and the fact that the EU Commission has been continuously noting that Serbia lacks in regulation in this field, one should expect improvements, since EU integration seems to be the most effective tool for legislative and policy changes in Serbia. * Associate Professor, Union University Faculty of Law, Belgrade; tatjana.pap-ic@pravnifakultet.rs. I am very grateful to Vladimir Đerić, Marko Milanović, Jelena Simić, Jovana Stopić and anonymous reviewers of the Annals for their useful comments.