Right to Self-determination
The right to self determination is firmly entrenched in the International Bill of Rights as well as most major international human rights instruments. For example article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides:
1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.
3. The States Parties to the present Covenant, including those having responsibility for the administration of Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories, shall promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
As clarified by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in its General Comment Number 10, paragraph 2 [of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights] affirms a particular economic context of the right of self-determination. ... This right entails corresponding duties for all states and the international community. States should indicate any factors or difficulties which prevent the free disposal of their natural wealth and resources contrary to the provisions of this paragraph and to what extent that affects the enjoyment of other rights set forth in the Covenant.
Significant advances toward the full realization of the right of self-determination continue to be made. Some initial resources on the right are:
- Reports and Statements Made By the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Use of Mercenaries as a Means of Impeding the Exercise of the Right of Peoples to Self-Deterimination
- African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Decision on Communication 155/96 The Social and Economic Rights Action Center and the Center for Economic and Social Rights / Nigeria Case Summary
One important quantifying and qualifying tool that is useful when monitoring program service delivery on the right of self-determination is the Revised Guidelines Regarding the Form and Contents of Report to be submitted by States Parties under Articles 16 and 17 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Self-determination Rights Dossier
- Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Articles (1)(1), (1)(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- Articles 1-2, 55 of the Charter of the United Nations
- Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
- Article 11(b) of the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam
- Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples
- Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations
- Declaration Establishing New International Economic Order
- Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States
- Article 3(a) of Declaration on Social Progress and Development
- Article 3 of the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice