Is the right of self-determinaton a basic human right?

Question

Is the right of self-determination a basic human right?

I am an American Muslim woman who was raised to be a patriot American. I was raised to think that The U.S. was an advocate of human rights- including the right of All peoples to have self-determination.
What is self- determination? What does it involve? Is it a right which is conditional or unconditional? Who determines if it is conditional or not? If it is conditional, who decides the criterion for this right.
Do foreign governments have the right to dictate policy to other peoples? Do foreign governments have the right to impose "peace" on a people who do not want "peace"? Do foreign governments have a right to decide what governments are valid and what governments are not valid?

Answer 1

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarokatuh Dear Rebe
cca .In line with islamic teaching self determination is a basic human right because a certain nation should be free to unite and can not be oppressed by other nation.Every problem of a nation should be resolved by their own by the decision of the majority (musyawarah decided by togetherness)..It should involve all of the peoples and can not be influenced by fore ign government..It is an unconditional qualification.Allah spke in the holy Qur'an that Allah would not change the fate of a nation if the nation itself do not try hard to change their fate.Foreign government can not dictate ithe policy to other nation because they should determine their own policy which can be different with other country.Other country can suggest the policy and peace keeping without force but its decision lies on the related nation as the right holder.The nation have the right to select their own government in line with their criterion.If the government of a nation is set up by the foreign government in line the foreign government polycy,it is not a valid goverment because it iis not represented the willingness of the majority of the peoples such as the government of Iraq which is made by US government. as his puppet. Yes US government is the advocate of human rights but in fact its behaviour is often against with human rights itself.US government invaded Iraq and Afghanistan without the valid reason..Invading and or attacking other nation is a cruelty and it is hated by Allah
.Allah spoke in holy Qur'an that we must love and help each other and we do not make bloodshed and any destruc tion in this world.We can not insult other nation. because we are brothers and sisters as descendant of Adam and Eve...Sa
lam for you. Have a good fasting.

Answer 2

What governments are valid is dictated by that governments actions on grounds of upholding it's citizens rights. It's not anything that anybody can "decide", moreover, it's about deciding whats' an acceptable level of collective security and survelliance to balance personal freedom. All governments have the right to start wars, provided they have the backing of their citizens, however, it doesn't mean its morally right.

All countries have the right to national self determination, unfortunately, the government is often based on religious doctrine, where, in the eyes of liberal thinking, the government is Not Valid, however, it is still the government instated by the people. Whether or not religious governments should be stomped on is a matter for debate (Personally, I think they should be, in favour of a secular government.)

The US does not advocate self determination, hence the removal of saddam from power.

Answer 3

i think self-determination is free-will. This means, to me, that Creator did not predestine our future, nor all of our actions. This does not mean that there are not consequences for our actions (some natural and some eternal).
Also there are some natural laws that exist, because they are eternal and from Creator, like respecting all life, and not taking another person's life (murder).

Does one country have the right to impose their values on another people? I would say no, except for those universal values that are held by all. Obviously universal values do not include religion or type of government, for instance.

Free-will is the nature of being human, and therefore cannot be taken away from anyone. Since it can't be taken away, there is no way it can be conditional.

There is no way to impose peace, as the participants have to agree to it. However, I do believe that if humanity sees a particular group of people killing each other, or violating basic human rights, humanity has the responsibility/ obligation to step in and stop the violence.

So even though one country can not mandate peace for another country, it can at least stop the violence in another. I think this comes under the mandate, "With great power, comes great responsibility."

this does not mean however, that any country is allowed to invade another country, just because its leader thinks it should. This should be done in union with the greater human community if done at all, within the wisdom of all humanity.

i believe that even though humanity worships Creator in different ways, we can still find peace in common spirituality (relationship with Creator), with each other's religious beliefs, and cultural experiences enriching the human experience rather than creating conflict.

Just a thought...
vic

Answer 4

I think it goes back to post WWI Europe when the treaty of Versailles guaranteed self-determination of the peoples freed from the empires of Europe at that time. Unfortunately without the strength to back up that ideal, the new states soon fell under Nazi Germany, then later had Communism imposed on them.
Today we still have trouble in Africa, the Far East and of course the Middle East with people being struggling for self determination.
It does seem that without the strength from the people themselves to self determination, they either have to get that from foreign powers or try and change things peaceably.
Imposing self determination on a people who don't want it, does look like a strange idea.

Answer 5

Self determination is part of being HUMAN, it is not a right or a privilege to be handed out by politicians, or religious leaders\fanatics. No govt entity anywhere has the right to tell anyone anywhere how to pray, vote, dress, speak, eat, where or how to work. If your government is involved in something you don't agree with, than you are of your own mind. A self-determined individual who can and does think for them self. Humans are not automatons obeying and doing without question, yes there are a lot of people out there who are just like that but it is born of fear and\or ignorance of the right to be oneself in thought and actions. Everyone wants peace, its interpretations vary, but no peoples want to live in a constant state of fear and war.

Answer 6

Self-determination is a basic right! However it does have limitations. It's limitations should include the infraction on other people to achieve their determination. One should not include the control over others in their goal in life. Every country in the world have citizens that infringe on the rights of others. History has taught us that all through the ages a country & its rulers have enslaved, governed, & controled their subjects. When that happened the people under those rulers had practically no control over their determination (desires & accomplishments) in lfe. In Iraq it was Saddam, his determination included controling many factors of his people. I would imagine his people had very little control over what they wanted in life or the ability to achieve it. Now we have the U.S. in Iraq. No difference. It was on the news today that the senate voted in a resolution to divide Iraq into three providences. What right do we have to control another country or divide it into three countries? This goes back to the history of nations & man. Control over others. Another thing history should teach the American people is; all nations fall from power, & so shall the United States!
With our record in interfering with other people's countries, it's no wonder we are disliked over the globe. To interfere with another country is to interfere with their right to achieve their desires(self-determination) in life. From all the scenes I see on TV, the peoples lives in Iraq are worse than under Saddam. People dying, buildings ravished & no utilities. The government WE installed has done nothing to help its people.
We created one hellava mess in Iraq. Result of those in power in the U.S. not knowing what they are doing & greed (Iraqi's oil).

Answer 7

self determination is something that only you can choose or not choose-yes there are outside forces that can pull a person one way or the other and there can be consequences for your actions-what are you willing to pay for your self determination-----
I will accept the rules that you feel necessary to your freedom. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.

that is my choice-you must choose your own---------enjoy the night ----pal

Answer 8

Yes, it's basically a FREE WILL determination.

Answer 9

Sounds like a war flag being sewn. Not that I am against war flags, just commenting.

Answer 10

...provided, it doesn't hurt the right of self determination of others.......