The Legality of Secession Referendums from the Perspective of Public International Law

Against the backdrop of increasing globalization, nationalism and local identities have not receded; instead, they have emerged in new forms. Secessionist movements and the associated secession referendums are becoming increasingly frequent worldwide. These developments not only starkly undermine the established norms of national sovereignty and territorial integrity but also place immense strain on the coherence of the global order and the credibility of international legal frameworks. As such, a thorough examination of the legitimacy of secession referendums through the lens of public international law holds profound theoretical importance and carries substantial implications for the evolving dynamics of the international community. This study aims to clarify the stance, principles, and methods of public international law in dealing with secession referendums by systematically reviewing and analyzing existing literature, and to explore the current research focuses, controversies, and future directions.