Does the U.N. endorse separatist groups? (1 Viewer)

[Chris]

Does the UN consider national self determination (creation of new nations/territorial re-assignment) a universal human right? For example, if the Kurdish regions of Iraq wanted to form their own independent nation, but the govn't in Baghdad refused to allow the secession, would the UN consider that a violation of the Kurd's right to self determination?

Secondly, does the UN contain any guidelines regarding what criteria is necessary for a pro-separatist region to become a new nation?

 

[Chris]

anyone have any info on this?

 

[Volker]

The League of Nations and later the UN have been interested in minority rights. There were some agreements about minorities in the twenties and there is a Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. There is a trend to move from minority right to general civic rights.

Minority rights include language, religion and culture. Minorities should be participated in decisions made about these issues. To have own countries is not part of it, therefore there is no support of separatism I am aware of.

 

[Jay R]

You could draw up a conspiracy theory that the UN favours minority self determination and the break up of states into smaller conurbations as part of a strategy to attribute further geopolitical power to the UN itself as an international forum and a nominal global government. See how the UN has difficulty in exerting control upon a large and independently powerful nation such as the US vis a vis small nations.

Just a thought.