Topic: Determining the Legitimacy of Secession Movements and Obligations of Parent States
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Tanvi Sharma
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Pakistan position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan believes that all secession movements have the potential to be legitimate, so long as they have the approval and support of the people of the region in question. There are many reasons for a region to want to gain autonomy, ranging from cultural to political to economic. Democracy is the best way to ensure and maintain peace and stability. We live in a time where ignoring the will of the people only leads to strife and further conflict. However, this is not to say that the wishes of the parent states be ignored. Once again in the interest of preserving peace, parent nation or nations have the right to have their wishes heard. The only way that both of these can occur simultaneously, is if all parties involved engage in diplomacy. For example, on the issue of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, before a resolution to the conflict can be reached all three parties involved, namely Pakistan, India, and the government of Jammu and Kashmir, should be in agreement following deliberations.
To ensure that negotiations to determine the legitimacy of secession movements occur in a fair and deliberate manner, some impartial facilitator should be present. This could be in the form of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, the government of another (unbiased and objective) nation, or some other international body that could fill this role. Once again, the emphasis must be placed on respecting the wishes of all involved. This can be attained through a fair plebiscite. If one of the parties is of the opinion that the International Court of Justice be involved, then the facilitator should ensure that this takes place. This is especially the case if one of the parties is accused or suspected of war crimes. Any solution that is unacceptable to one or more of the bodies involved should be taken from the table. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan would emphasize that any solution reached should be acceptable to all parties. If this is not the case, then negotiations should resume until the aforementioned goal is reached.
Obligations of the parent state should be determined by the deliberations that take place between the parties involved. However, it is important to emphasize that international law should always be followed. During governmental transitions, if they are to take place, all parties must ensure that maintenance of human rights is a priority. Once a new nation is established, parent states should be encouraged to support the economic and political growth of the new nation. The best way to ensure that this takes place is to (as emphasized earlier) that all parties are satisfied with the resolution that is reached.
