This thesis analyses the question of East Timor and, proceeding from that and from a comparison with other instances of international practice, it proposes to contribute to the study of how the international legal order deals with the violations infringed upon it, namely of its most fundamental principles such as the prohibition of the use of force and self-determination

The case of East Timor highlights the weaknesses and strengths of the international legal order when dealing with illegality. It shows, on the one hand, that it is still lacking in efficient and objective means to uphold legality, but also that, on the other hand, when fundamental principles are at stake time, effectiveness and recognition are unable to cure illegality and, through the work of the interested parties and with the fundamental collaboration from the United Nations, it is possible to restore legality at the international level