The Right to Self-Determination: discussion goes on...

Ali Shaukat, Kashmire Journalists Forum
Posted Tues 21:34 GMT

The working group on the “Right of Peoples to Self-Determination” convened successively for the third day at the WCSF in Geneva, raising the question of which factors influence the implementation of the right to self determination?

Mr. Nicolas Guerrero (Mandat International) opened the discussion by throwing light on the topic. Guest speaker, Mr. Michael Von Walt from Peace Action Council, defined the right to self- determination as: “the collective rights of the peoples to determine their own future, free of any outside interference or coercion”. According to him, this includes the right to determine the people’s political status and their freedom to pursue their economic, social, spiritual, cultural and environmental development. He also elaborated on the different factors which influence the right to self determination.

Mr. Michael Von Walt pointed out that there exist many factors which influence the implementation of the right to self determination. Among these factors, he said, are “unity in the organization strategies of the movement fighting for the right to self determination, consistency in activities of movement and other factors which are economic, geographical and strategic.” He added that “superpowers” and regional powers also influence the implementation of the right to self-determination and there are also influences from civil society groups as well. Using East Timor as an example he said it was the civil society in Indonesia which influenced the implementation of the right to self-determination for the people of the Island.

Mr. Von Walt said that the International support and third party intervention also influence the implementation of self-determination, stressing that no Nation can do without the wishes of the other two parties.

Ron Bernes (Alaska Indigenous People) shared his experience with the Kabyle regarding the right of peoples to self determination. He blamed the Algerian government for neglecting their basic human rights, including the right to self-determination. He also said: “the Algerian government wants to impose the Islamic system on us, but we have different culture and language” He continued “we have ideological differences;” therefore, “we want autonomy”. The Algerian government’s refusal to respect their right to self determination compelled the people to form various human rights movements. “Now we are facing massive human rights violation,” he said.

Mr. Ron Bernes pointed out two examples; one that took place a few weeks ago, where a young man was arrested by the Algerian police and was killed in a police station. The police claimed he was killed in a road accident! The other incident was about the kidnapping of three youngsters by the Algerian police, because they were chanting slogans against the ruling government.

Another participant commented about the movement of Kurds in different countries. He described how Kurds are fighting for self-determination in countries such as Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria. He explained that Kurds have their own culture and language, but they are suppressed, particularly, by the Turkish and Iraqi governments.

Mr. Micheal Von Walt concluded with a statement, describing the issue of the Kurds as very difficult, since they are scattered in various countries. He finally added that natural resources are also factors which influence the implementation of the right to self-determination.

Click here for all available presenters' documents
Click here for all available summaries