Self-determination is an internationally recognized and accepted principle that gives minority groups the right to protect themselves from assimilation and consequent disappearance in a majority.
This was the core message of Dr. Pieter Groenewald, leader of the FF Plus, in his presentation to the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations & Peoples Organization) thirteenth general meeting in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Dr. Groenewald said self-determination indicated the right of people to determine their own destiny in the international order. Self-determination is a core principle of international law, deriving from customary international law, and is recognized as a general principle of law as enshrined in some international treaties. He said self-determination was entrenched in the United Nations Charter and the International Declaration on Civil and Political Rights as a right of “all people.”
Internationally, self-determination is considered an acceptable method of solving the problems of minorities and oppressed groups of people.
The unique situation of each country and group requires a different form of self-determination. The unfortunate truth is that governments never regard self-determination as the primary solution to a problem. The conviction of minority rights or admission to self-determination is considered to be an unnecessary challenge by many governments. No government will quickly restructure the government system to accommodate minority groups.
Governments usually choose the solutions of assimilation (becoming part of the majority) or acculturation (let your own culture loose and become like us – adapt in South Africa) or even total absorption. Enough people must stand up and express themselves against oppression and assimilation and in favor of minority rights and self-determination rights before a government will pay attention to it.
Self-determination is not a custom or a given. There are different stages of self-determination that need to be done to achieve the ultimate goal. An important step is to mobilize a community or ethnic group to put pressure on the government.
Read the original article in Afrikaans on Die Vryburger
South Africa Today – South Africa News
