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Journals / Marmara Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Hukuk Araştırmaları Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 31 Sayı: 2

The Effect and Normative Role of UN General Assembly Resolutions and ICJ Decisions of Soft Law Character on the Formation of International Customary Law Rules

Yumuşak Hukuk Niteliğindeki BM Genel Kurul Kararları ve UAD Kararlarının Uluslararası Örf ve Âdet Hukuku Kurallarının Oluşumu Üzerindeki Etkisi ve Normatif Rolü

Zeynep Erhan Bulut(ÇANKIRI KARATEKİN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-5766-126X
Pages
1927–1953
Publication Date
2026-01-07
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, soft law extends beyond a merely supplementary role, playing a central part in the elucidation, crystallization, and creation of new customary international law rules, and actively contributing to the evolutionary and dynamic development of the international legal order.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the role of soft law instruments in the formation of customary international law.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Although non-binding, soft law guides state behaviour and contributes to clarifying existing customary rules while reducing uncertainties.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, soft law extends beyond a merely supplementary role, playing a central part in the elucidation, crystallization, and creation of new customary international law rules, and actively contributing to the evolutionary and dynamic development of the international legal order.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:yumuşak hukuk · uluslararası örf ve âdet hukuku · uluslararası hukuk komisyonu

Abstract

This study examines the role of soft law instruments in the formation of customary international law. Although non-binding, soft law guides state behaviour and contributes to clarifying existing customary rules while reducing uncertainties. United Nations General Assembly resolutions, as key soft law instruments, shape state practice and foster a shared understanding within the international community due to their adoption by a broad range of states. Reports and draft conclusions of the International Law Commission indicate that while such instruments do not directly create rules, they provide important evidence for the development of state practice and opinio juris, facilitating the crystallization of customary norms. International Court of Justice decisions, although binding only on the parties to a case, function as soft law for other states, clarifying existing rules, solidifying ambiguous practices, and accelerating the emergence of new customary norms. Overall, soft law extends beyond a merely supplementary role, playing a central part in the elucidation, crystallization, and creation of new customary international law rules, and actively contributing to the evolutionary and dynamic development of the international legal order.

Özet

Bu çalışma, yumuşak hukuk belgelerinin uluslararası örf ve âdet hukuku kurallarının oluşum sürecindeki rolünü incelemektedir. Yumuşak hukuk, bağlayıcı olmamakla birlikte devlet davranışlarını yönlendirir, mevcut örf ve âdet kurallarının açıklığa kavuşmasına ve belirsizliklerin giderilmesine katkı sağlayabilir. Birleşmiş Milletler Genel Kurulu kararları, yumuşak hukuk niteliğinde önemli araçlar olarak, çok sayıda devletin katılımıyla kabul edilmeleri sayesinde devlet uygulamalarını şekillendirir ve uluslararası toplumda ortak anlayışın gelişmesini destekler. Uluslararası Hukuk Komisyonu’nun rapor ve taslak sonuçları, bu belgelerin doğrudan kural yaratmasa da devlet uygulamaları ve hukuki yükümlülük bilinci (opinio juris) üzerinde etkili olarak örf ve âdet hukukunun kristalize olmasına katkıda bulunabileceğini göstermektedir. Uluslararası Adalet Divanı kararları, yalnızca dava tarafları için bağlayıcı olmasına karşın diğer devletler açısından rehberlik eden, yani yumuşak hukuk niteliğinde işlev görür; mevcut kuralların açıklığa kavuşmasını sağlar, belirsiz uygulamaları somutlaştırır ve yeni örf ve âdet kurallarının oluşumunu hızlandırır. Sonuç olarak, yumuşak hukuk, uluslararası örf ve âdet hukuku kurallarının açıklanması, kristalize edilmesi ve yeni normların oluşumunda merkezi bir rol oynar; uluslararası hukuk düzeninin evrimsel ve dinamik gelişimine etkin katkı sağlar.

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Cite This Article

Bulut, Z. E. (2026). The Effect and Normative Role of UN General Assembly Resolutions and ICJ Decisions of Soft Law Character on the Formation of International Customary Law Rules. Marmara Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Hukuk Araştırmaları Dergisi, Cilt: 31 Sayı: 2, 1927–1953. https://doi.org/10.33433/maruhad.1776855

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