International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

PART I
Article 1
1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely
determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural
development.
2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and
resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-
operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case
may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.
. !he "tates #arties to the present $ovenant, including those having responsibility for
the administration of %on-"elf-&overning and !rust !erritories, shall promote the
reali'ation of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity
with the provisions of the $harter of the (nited %ations.
PART II
Article 2
1. )ach "tate #arty to the present $ovenant underta*es to respect and to ensure to all
individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recogni'ed in the
present $ovenant, without distinction of any *ind, such as race, colour, se+, language,
religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
2. ,here not already provided for by e+isting legislative or other measures, each "tate
#arty to the present $ovenant underta*es to ta*e the necessary steps, in accordance
with its constitutional processes and with the provisions of the present $ovenant, to
adopt such laws or other measures as may be necessary to give effect to the rights
recogni'ed in the present $ovenant.
. )ach "tate #arty to the present $ovenant underta*es-
.a/ !o ensure that any person whose rights or freedoms as herein recogni'ed are
violated shall have an effective remedy, notwithstanding that the violation has been
committed by persons acting in an official capacity0
.b/ !o ensure that any person claiming such a remedy shall have his right thereto
determined by competent judicial, administrative or legislative authorities, or by any
other competent authority provided for by the legal system of the "tate, and to develop
the possibilities of judicial remedy0
.c/ !o ensure that the competent authorities shall enforce such remedies when granted.
Article 3
!he "tates #arties to the present $ovenant underta*e to ensure the e1ual right of men
and women to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights set forth in the present
$ovenant.
Article 4
1 . In time of public emergency which threatens the life of the nation and the e+istence
of which is officially proclaimed, the "tates #arties to the present $ovenant may ta*e
measures derogating from their obligations under the present $ovenant to the e+tent
strictly re1uired by the e+igencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not
inconsistent with their other obligations under international law and do not involve
discrimination solely on the ground of race, colour, se+, language, religion or social
origin.
2. %o derogation from articles 2, 3, 4 .paragraphs I and 2/, 11, 15, 12 and 14 may be
made under this provision.
. Any "tate #arty to the present $ovenant availing itself of the right of derogation shall
immediately inform the other "tates #arties to the present $ovenant, through the
intermediary of the "ecretary-&eneral of the (nited %ations, of the provisions from
which it has derogated and of the reasons by which it was actuated. A further
communication shall be made, through the same intermediary, on the date on which it
terminates such derogation.
Article 5
1. %othing in the present $ovenant may be interpreted as implying for any "tate, group
or person any right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at the destruction
of any of the rights and freedoms recogni'ed herein or at their limitation to a greater
e+tent than is provided for in the present $ovenant.
2. !here shall be no restriction upon or derogation from any of the fundamental human
rights recogni'ed or e+isting in any "tate #arty to the present $ovenant pursuant to law,
conventions, regulations or custom on the prete+t that the present $ovenant does not
recogni'e such rights or that it recogni'es them to a lesser e+tent.
Self-determination denotes the legal right of people to decide their own
destiny in the international order. Self-determination is a core principle of
international law, arising from customary international law, but also
recognized as a general principle of law. It is an integral element of basic of
human rights.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/self_determination_international_law
hrough the realization of this basic right of the people to determine our own
future, political status and independence without any coercion or force we
can say that we ha!e the fundamental freedom. he principle of self-
determination is a prere"uisite for the en#oyment of our human rights and
without this right we cannot fully en#oyed it.
he right of self-determination belongs to all not to someone else or right of
peoples rather than indi!iduals. his principle would li$e to impart to us that
we should respect the social and political status of a person. %rticle & of the
International co!enant of social and political rights pro!ides how this right be
en#oyed.
It is presumed that e!ery man that has decision-ma$ing is a'orded the right
to self-determination because they ha!e the capacity to choose or decide on
their own regarding personal beliefs and !alues without the in(uence or
interference of others. herefore, we ha!e freedom to ma$e our own
decisions in all areas of our li!es.
)eople are entitled to this right of self-determination in order to control our
own destiny and to be treated respectfully. *nce our decisions are interfered
by others or because of coercion it would be a !iolation of our rights. his
right entails our freedom to pursue what we want in our li!es. *ur discretion
would be a factor to de!elop oursel!es because we can say, we can do and
we can choose what we want. +hen we decide or say something without
interference of others it shows that we are strong when we spea$ what is
inside our mind.
he principle of right to self-determination can help us to grow and de!elop.