THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-DETERMINATION

Načelo samoodločbe je eno izmed temeljnih načel mednarodnega prava. Za prvi pravni okvir načela samoodločbe štejemo Atlantsko listino iz leta 1941. Pomisleki glede tega, da Atlantska listina ni zavezujoča mednarodna pogodba in da tudi spoštovanje načela samoodločbe ni mednarodnopravno zavezujoče, so bili ovrženi z vključitvijo načela v Ustanovno listino OZN. Vseeno pa v njej ni opredeljena ne vsebina načela, ne metode za uresničevanje in ne nosilec ali upravičenec načela. Po letu 1945 se je začelo načelo samoodločbe zelo hitro uveljavljati in njegova širitev se je odražala v procesu dekolonizacije in v nastanku številnih novih neodvisnih držav. Leta 1960 je bila sprejeta Deklaracija o odpravi kolonializma. Z Mednarodnim paktom o ekonomskih, socialnih in kulturnih pravicah in Mednarodnim paktom o državljanskih in političnih pravicah je bila leta 1966 pravica do samoodločbe prvič sprejeta v pravno zavezujočem dokumentu, ki ga morajo spoštovati vse države pogodbenice. Pakta imata enak člen 1, ki določa, da imajo vsi narodi pravico do samoodločbe, s katero si svobodno določajo svoj politični status in svobodno zagotavljajo svoj ekonomski, socialni in kulturni razvoj. Pri tem ni bistveno, za kaj se narod odloči, temveč, da gre za njegovo svobodno, lastno odločitev. S sprejetjem Deklaracij sedmin načel, je Generalna skupščina Združenih narodov, razširila koncept samoodločbe preko antikolonializma. Načelo samoodločbe obravnava tudi Helsinška sklepna listina, ki je potrdila njegovo univerzalnost. Postavlja se vprašanje, ali načelo samoodločbe vključuje tudi pravico do odcepitve. Mnenja glede tega so deljena. Deklaracija sedmih načel določa, da je to možno v tistih država, kjer ni spoštovano načelo enakopravnosti in samoodločbe in kadar vlada ne predstavlja celotnega naroda ter se pojavljajo razlikovanja glede na raso, vero in barvo. Postavlja se tudi vprašanje kdo je upravičenec načela samoodločbe, na koga se torej nanaša izraz »peoples«. Odgovor na to je največkrat odvisen od prakse držav in je velikokrat politična odločitev. Pomen načela samoodločbe je v tem, da je uresničena samoodločba pogoj, da lahko narodi uresničujejo ostale človekove pravice in temeljne svoboščine, pogoj za mednarodni mir in varnost ter pogoj za prijateljsko sodelovanje med narodi.The principle of self-determination is a core principle of international law. The Atlantic Charter, issued in 1941, is considered as the first legal frame of the principle of self-determination. Concerns about the Atlantic Charter not being a binding international treaty and consequently, that respect of the principles of self-determination is not binding in international law, were refuted by incorporating the principle in the Charter of the United Nations. However, content of the principle, methods of achievement and subjects were not defined in it. After the year 1945, the principle of self-determination has rapidly implemented and its expansion was reflected in the process of decolonization and with the birth of numerous independent countries. Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was adopted in 1960. With International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the right of self-determination was in 1966 for the first time adopted in legally binding document, which must be respected by all States Parties. Pacts have the same Article 1, which stipulates that 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. The essential thing is that nations can make their own free decision. With the adoption of Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the UN, the General Assembly of the United Nations has extended the concept of self-determination through anti-colonialism. The Helsinki final act also addresses the principle of self-determination, which has confirmed its universality. The question is whether the principle of self-determination also includes the right of secession. Opinions about this are divided. The Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations states that this is possible in those countries where principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples is not respected and where government does not represent the entire nation and where distinction based on race, religion and colour appear. The question also is, who is the rightful claimant of the principle of self-determination, therefore to whom the term ‘peoples’ relates to. The answer on this question usually depends on countries practices and it is often a political decision. The importance of the principle of self-determination is the fact that realized self-determination is a condition that nations can exercise other human rights and fundamental freedoms, a prerequisite for international peace and security, and a condition for friendly cooperation among nations