De Facto

Articles

Struggles on Stamps - Jammu & Kashmir

Struggles about states are usually accompanied by discussions, diplomatic rows, border issues, threats and sometimes even full-blown wars. But if you take the time to zoom in, you will find that these struggles also tend to unfold on tiny pieces of paper – stamps, the smallest expression of self determination. And sometimes, these tiny stamps seem to foreshadow larger conflicts.

Jan Heijs | 17 Jul 2025

Asia
Stamps

In focus West Papua

Struggles on Stamps–West-Papua

Jan Heijs Suzanne Hendriks | 30 Dec 2024

In focus

Score!

Ten years ago, Conifa started organising the world championship football for unrecognized countries. Since then, it has sparked the imagination of a number of artists and journalists, and rightly so.

Suzanne Hendriks | 12 Jun 2024

In focus Essequibo

Struggles on Stamps

Struggles about states are usually accompanied by discussions, diplomatic rows, border issues and sometimes even full-blown war. But also on tiny pieces of paper, the smallest expression of self-determination – stamps – these territorial claims are being fought.

Jan Heijs | 24 Dec 2023

In focus Bougainville

The World's Next Independent State?

On November 15 Christopher Brucker from the University of Jena (Germany) will give a lecture on Bougainville’s prospects of becoming an independent state. He will talk about his field trip, summarize the conflict and outline the fundamentals of post-conflict peacebuilding in the region.

De Facto | 7 Nov 2023

In focus Nagorno-Karabakh

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When her brother goes missing during the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Shoghakat decides to film her and her parents’ search and emotional process — even at times when others might have put down the camera.

De Facto | 3 Nov 2023

In focus

IDFA is in Town

The International Documentary Festival Amsterdam in the Netherlands opens tomorrow. Many great films, and quite a few about curious borders and statehood. The festival will take place from November 9 till 20 in cinemas across the city. De Facto selected one installation and three movies.

De Facto | 8 Nov 2022

Film

In focus Chagos Archipelago

Post office on Chagos Archipelago stops sending mail abroad

In October 2021 “Sure updates” announces that the Post office of Diego Garcia, an island of the Chagos Archipelago, temporarily suspended the outbound postal service until ongoing discussions with the United Postal Union (UPU) are solved.

Jan Heijs | 21 Oct 2021

In focus Kurdistan

Disputed Stamp of Iraqi Kurdistan not Accepted by Turkey

To commemorate the visit of Pope Francis to the Kurdistan region, five postage stamps were designed. The one depicting a controversial map of the region sparked a protest by Turkey.

Jan Heijs | 10 Mar 2021

In focus Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands’ Stamp Battle

Since 1833 the Falkland Islands have been part of the British Overseas Territories. Argentina has always protested against this claim, also via philately.

Jan Heijs | 8 Jan 2021

In focus Terrestrial Triangle

The Future of the Triangle

In 2014, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ended the maritime conflict between Chile and Peru. In a Solomonic way, they divided the disputed sea between the two countries. However, the Court’s ruling left one point unresolved: the Terrestrial Triangle.

Francisco Bustamante Ugarte | 3 Nov 2020

In focus

De Facto States Respond Quickly to Covid-19

Despite being effectively excluded from global health management networks and having limited resources due their forced isolation, de facto states have shown their capacity to take action to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in their territories. This piece highlights how some de facto states have responded (information as of 13th March).

| 13 Mar 2020

in focus

In focus Kosovo

Recognition Battle between Belgrade and Pristina

With its overt campaign to reduce the number of countries that recognize Kosovo as an independent state, Serbia has provoked the wrath of its neighbour. The battle intensifies.

Jorie Horsthuis | 5 Dec 2019