Topic: Determining the Legitimacy of Secession Movements and Obligations of Parent States
Country: Cuba
Delegate Name: Lindsey Hart
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Cuba position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Secession movements are not all that uncommon, and the reasons for them vastly differ from country to country. Whether it be because of political, social, or religious, there’s a whole host of reasons for states to separate from their parent country. Gaining legitimacy afterwards is the next battle for states that have seceded from parent states. Many seceded states struggle to gain recognition on the international stage. Because of this struggle, the states struggle to gain footing economically and politically and their troubles are worsened when they’re not seen as legitimate. Trying to distinguish between what does and doesn’t classify as legitimate state has caused many issues on the international stage, and for the state trying to secede. The obligations of the parent states are questionable at best. There’s a distinct lack of clarity on the role of these parent states and what they are obligated to do for the seceding state as they break away.
Cuba believes that in order for a state to be legitimate, it needs to secede through a referendum and be a member state of the United Nations, or a membership to another union such as the European Union or African Union. Recognition from such organizations usually coincides with the legality of the secession, and can therefore legitimize the state. If the secession is done through a referendum, chances are most of the citizens of the seceding state agree with secession, the state can be legitimate. Cuba believes that the process of seceding through referendum is the only way to ensure that the seceding states’ citizens agree with the issue, and if they don’t, that can also be ensured. As for the obligations of the parent states, Cuba feels that if a secession is done peacefully, the parent state should help the new state out economically if needed. This allows the new state to become economically stable and doesn’t set the new state up for failure.
Above all, Cuba would like to see clarity on obligations of the parent states and the methods a state can secede from another. With clarification, a messy secession can be avoided and states can secede into a more stable place rather than succumb into even more chaos. Cuba would also like to see states legitimized only if they’re members of the UN or organizations like the EU and if secession is done through referendum.
