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In this contribution, Åland's autonomy as a model for the protection of territorial minorities is analysed and evaluated. The geopolitical background is today's Europe with, in general, quite strong state integration tendencies. The focus is on Åland's autonomy's ability to successfully deliver on the original promises regarding the greatest possible regional self-determination and language protection given at its inception in 1921 by the League of Nations and the Finnish state. Comparisons are made with similar European and Nordic autonomies. The conclusion is that Åland's position in international law and in the Finnish Constitution remains, thanks primary to its historical origin, relatively strong. However, two negative factors are identified: the severely limited de facto home rule, and the asymmetric partnership between the autonomy and the state. The contribution concludes with a number of lessons learned regarding the legal and political conditions for well-functioning and long-term sustainable autonomies within the framework of today's sovereign European and Nordic states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does Finland deal in practice with instances of alleged violations of the demilitarised and neutralised zone of the Åland Islands? This is the main question in this text. We examine three levels of regulation and practice, namely international law, legislation concerning territorial surveillance and criminal law during the period 2010–2015. We examine unique materials obtained upon application. We conclude that the criminalisation presents Finland with several advantages but also some problems, in particular in matters of criminal liability. The absence of easily accessible and visible nautical and aeronautical charts indicating the coordinates of the demilitarised and neutralised zone for all those practically concerned remains a major obstacle. While the total number of reported violations remains low, the investigations confirm the continued validity of the demilitarisation regime and the intricate interplay between domestic and international law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article looks at the perplexing encounter between territorial autonomies and international organizations by exploring the legal-institutional frameworks for accommodating Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Åland Islands within the Nordic Council/Nordic Council of Ministers (Norden) and the European Union (EU). In Norden an attempt has been made to translate the very core of autonomy, namely constitutionally protected legislative power, into a legal-institutional framework for multi-level governance. The small number of autonomies and the scope and scale of Norden allows for a one-size-fits-all solution. The encounter between autonomies and an international organization is not only more challenging in the case of the eu, it is also broader in scale and in scope. Despite the eu's individually and often densely regulated relationships with octs and sui generis arrangements, dependent territories remain to some extent uncharted territories in the context of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a brief overview of the history of the engagement by Finnish jurists with international law during the 20th century. The principal finding is that Finnish lawyers have often combined academic work with public service as diplomats and politicians, including government members. The ambition is modest - no more is sought than singling out relevant persons and some of their more interesting academic contributions. My wish is that the text might inspire others to enquire more in depth into the contributions of these and other jurists as well as to make such overviews of other countries or periods and in this way to contribute to an emerging "comparative international law". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a region that is simultaneously demilitarised, neutralised and autonomous, the Åland Islands represent a unique and long-established case in international law. However, this status was never independent of surrounding events. The early 1990s saw both the end of the Cold War and Finland's accession to the European Union. This paper offers an analysis of the discussion regarding Åland's demilitarised and neutralised status among both Finnish and Ålandic legislators during this period. It finds that Finnish policy-makers saw little need to discuss the matter. Åland's officials continuously criticised the Finnish Defence Forces' presence in the region as excessive and proved unwilling to let the issue rest. Against formal obstacles, they established themselves as a relevant actor, facilitated by differing approaches of political, diplomatic and military officials in Finland. Other sovereign states showed only limited interest in the discussion, making it a domestic one for the most part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International law and the international community is primarily based on the dominant role of the state. Other actors are increasingly involved in conducting international affairs. This article examines different solutions for bringing autonomous entities to the international level, taking one specific autonomous entity, the Åland Islands, as an example. The article concentrates on competences of autonomous entities in relation to international treaties and the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]