The Double-Edged Sword of Self-Determination When are the Freedoms Worth the Dangers? Morgan Springer

Criteria for determining validity of claims of self-determination Evidence of great injustices committed by the state towards the group represented by the movement The movement must represent the will of the majority The movement must not harm other minorities within the affected area Force should be a last resort after the exhaustion of peaceful means The movement must establish a stable democracy following secession or the gain of autonomy

Kosovo

Damage after NATO bombing in Kosovo and Yugoslavia

Serbs and Roma fled Kosovo

East Timor

Santa Cruz Massacre – 273 dead

Waiting to Vote Morgan Springer

East Timor Independence

Questions? Self-determination law – What does the UN say? Is secession legal? Is autonomy legal? Self-determination theories – when is a claim valid? How do we deal with the threat of fragmentation? Kosovo – history and legitimacy East Timor – history and legitimacy How should we view self-determination? How should the international community respond?