Global Policy Forum

Across the world, nation states find their unity tested by separatist claims and calls for secession. Le Monde Diplomatique argues that increasingly, nationalistic rhetoric hides short-term economic interests, a desire to keep the natural resources of a country in the hands of a small population.

2009

 

Freelance Diplomats Lend a Hand to Would - Be -States (July 31, 2009)

Independent Diplomat, a non-profit group, provides guidance to emerging states on how to approach foreign governments and international organizations. The organization uses existing diplomatic channels to help its clients gain international recognition, as emerging states often lack experience of dealing with international bureaucracies. Assisting "nations - in - waiting" to gain international attention is crucial for us says Independent Diplomat member Soren Jessen-Petersen.(Associated Press)

Fondly, Greenland loses Danish rule (June 21, 2009)

The Uighurs are the largest community in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR), and claim that China colonized the area in 1949. The Chinese government fears Uighur separatist activities, especially since the neighboring Central Asian countries share cultural ties with the Uighurs. As a result of increased economic development by the government, the Uighurs argue that this has led to increased inequality, decreased access to resources, and demographic change where the Han, China's main ethic group, now represents 40% of the population. (Council on Foreign Relations)

The US, Russia, and Israel often seek to delegitimize Muslim nationalist movements by branding them as pan-Islamic jihad tied to al-Qaeda. But this Countercurrents.org article argues that most Muslim movements are nationalist - not pan-Islamic. In countries like Chechnya, leaders use Islamic symbols to mobilize people for an independent state. And Muslim Arab countries have generally prioritized their own national interest over the Muslim community in Palestine.

Under the mantra of "Small is Beautiful," a secessionist movement in the northeastern US state of Vermont is lobbying for independence. The Second Vermont Republic (SVR) believes that Vermont should free itself from the US "empire" which President Abraham Lincoln extended during the Civil War. The group argues that independence would bring increased democracy, environmental sustainability, and personal liberty. The revelation of SVR's ties to Southern white supremacists shocked its followers, and many withdrew their support for the secessionist movement. (Southern Poverty Law Center)

Moscow is slowly undermining Georgia's sovereignty by strengthening its ties with the breakaway province of Abkhazia. Russia has lifted trade sanctions and has increased its troops in the breakaway province, under the pretext of protecting its citizens in the region. The author criticizes Europe for conceding to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and not taking any action to show its support for Georgia. (openDemocracy)

To prevent the Uighur people - a Muslim ethnic group - from claiming separation, the Chinese government has taken measures to increase the Han population in the Chinese province Xinjiang. In a few decades, the Han population in the province grew from 6 to 40 percent. Attempting to defend their culture, more and more Uighurs are turning to Islam to confirm their identity. The government is responding by subjecting the Muslim population to religious restrictions such as the prohibition of bringing the Koran to university. (Christian Science Monitor)

In this OpenDemocracy article, the author puts the China-Tibet issue in a historic perspective, considering their respective notions of sovereignty. During the first half of the 20th century, Tibet was de facto independent as China did not seek absolute control. But as China grew wary of Western Empires, the country's nationalistic ideas increased. To create one strong bloc against US, European and Japanese Empires, China fully integrated Tibet. This way, nationalism became a means of legitimizing full sovereignty over Tibet.

Why has Kosovo been able to break away from Serbia, while separatists in Kashmir and Sri Lanka still struggle to gain independence? The case of Russia and Chechnya shows that politically stable and militarily strong countries seldom loose territory through secession of minority groups. The example of Turkey's policy towards its Kurdish separatists proves that having powerful allies - in this case the US - also helps nations to block a break-away. While the independence of Kosovo raised hope for several separatist regions, the nations to which they belong are even more determined to hold on to them. (Foreign Policy in Focus)

A study of seven environmental disasters shows that indigenous peoples are among the ones that suffer most from changing climate patterns. Policymakers fail to address the dangers indigenous communities face because of climate change. Many governments invest in biofuels under the pretext of solving climate change. But large-scale biofuel production has led to the eviction of minority or indigenous groups from their land, endangering their existence. (Minority Rights International Group)

The independence of Kosovo has shown once more the lack of unanimity within the European Union. Six countries do not back the new European nation, fearing its self proclaimed autonomy will set a precedent for their own ethnic minorities. This article provides an overview of these countries and the struggle for autonomy of their respective minority groups. Spain was the first country to state it was not going to back Kosovo's independence, fearing the example it would set for the Basque region. (Der Spiegel)

This International Herald Tribune article highlights the plight of the world's stateless people - many of whom live in remote areas and are members of tribal or ethnic minorities. The author argues that without the rights which generally accompany citizenship these people are often subject to discrimination and other human rights abuses and are afforded few protections from the state.

This Eurasia Daily Monitor article highlights the recent changes in government made by Transnistria Moldovan Republic "President" Igor Smirnov. The most controversial change is the complete exclusion of Moldovans from positions of authority as Transnistria - which declared independence from Moldova in 1990 - attempts to move away from being a Moldovan entity and closer to Russia, which it aspires to join.

Domestic civil strife in countries around the world has forced millions of civilians, known as internally displaced persons (IDPs), to flee their homes. As they often reside in weak or failed states, IDPs have no formal system of legal rights and receive little attention from their governments. In addition, because IDPs do not cross international borders, they are not automatically entitled to the rights and protections of refugees. (Christian Science Monitor)

South Africa has formally recognized the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic after its patience for a referendum on who should rule Western Sahara ran out earlier in September. Some 76 countries have recognized the Republic, but Morocco fears South Africa's weight will trigger more international pressure to grant the region independence. (Newsday)

"De jure or de facto separation of Chechnya from Russia would be a major setback to core Russian strategic aims," argues Power and Interest News Report. Russia wants to maintain control over oil-rich Chechnya to contain US influence in the Caucasus. Meanwhile, the US and the EU, aiming to develop economic cooperation in the area, are calling on Moscow to negotiate with the separatists.

Tensions have risen since nationalist Mikhail Saakashvili became Georgian president last fall. Saakashvili promises to "bring South Ossetia and a second breakaway province, Abkhazia, back under central government control." The provinces gained their independence from Georgia in the 1990's. (Globe and Mail)

Terrorist attacks in Thailand's southern region prompted the government to impose martial law and has renewed fears of Islamic separatism in the region. Thailand annexed the southern region in 1920 and since then separatist movements have often appeared. (Christian Science Monitor)