 Ashaninka, Peru
Photo: Pablo Lasansky
 Bushmen, Botswana
Photo: Arthur Krasilnikoff
 Chakma, Bangladesh
Photo: Christian Erni
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What is self-determination?
What is most widely implied in the term self-determination is the right to participate in the democratic process of governance and to influence one’s future – politically, socially and culturally.
Self-determination embodies the right for all peoples to determine their own economic, social and cultural development. Self-determination has thus been defined by the International Court of Justice (in the West-Saharan case) as: The need to pay regard to the freely expressed will of peoples.
It is important to stress that for indigenous peoples the term self-determination does most often NOT imply secession from the state.
The right of self-determination
The right of self-determination of peoples is a fundamental principle in international law. It is embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Common Article 1, paragraph 1 of these Covenants provides that:
"All peoples have the rights of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development."
The right of self-determination has also been recognized in other international and regional human rights instruments such as Part VII of the Helsinki Final Act 1975 and Article 20 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights as well as the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Territories and Peoples. It has been endorsed by the International Court of Justice. Furthermore, the scope and content of the right of self- determination has been elaborated upon by the United Nations Human Rights Committee and Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as well as international jurists and human rights experts.
To read more about Self-determination click on one or more of the links below (PDF & Word documents).
 Indigenous Affairs - Self-determination (download the publication)
Self-determination and the nation state - Baguio Declaration
Implementation of the Right of Self-Determination of Indigenous Peoples within the Framework of Human Security, by John Henriksen
Indigenous Peoples Self-determination and the Nation State in Asia, by the Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Definition and delimitation of the indigenous peoples of Asia, by Tapan Bose
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