Human Rights Violations and the Right to Secession of Minorities in Light of the Right to Self-Determination the

This article first studies the concept and characteristics of the right to self-determination as an important demand for religious, linguistic, or ethnic minorities, and reviews the evolution of this concept since the end of cold war. This article also asserts that the realization of democracy and human rights have become essential elements of the right to self-determination over the last couple of decades. It is argued that the establishment of democratic regimes and the observation of human rights are necessary steps to be taken by governments with regard to minorities’ rights; however, in the case that their rights are grossly violated, they may be forced to resort to secession, and the international law should recognize their independence.