The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence was adopted on 17 February 2008 at a meeting of the Assembly of Kosovo, by most of its members and by other representatives of the people of Kosovo, acting outside the UNMIK's PISG framework (not representing the Assembly or any other of these institutions), The participants unanimously declared Kosovo to be independent from Serbia, while all 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. It was the second declaration of independence by Kosovo's Albanian-majority political institutions, the first was proclaimed on 7 September 1990.
The legality of the declaration and whether it was an act of the Assembly has been disputed. Serbia sought international validation and support for its stance that the declaration was illegal, and in October 2008 requested a judgement from the International Court of Justice. The Court determined that the declaration did not violate international law.
Read more about 2008 Kosovo Declaration Of Independence: Political Background, Adoption and Terms of The Declaration of Independence
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