ICCPR Article 1 — Right of Self-Determination

Summary

Article 1, common to both the ICCPR and ICESCR, affirms that 'all peoples have the right of self-determination' including the right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development. States parties must promote realisation of this right. The Human Rights Committee has addressed self-determination in General Comment No. 12 (1984).

Relevance to the diaspora

The Tamil diaspora invokes ICCPR Art. 1 as the foundational right underpinning Tamil claims to political autonomy, self-governance, and ultimately (for some) independent statehood; the Committee has consistently held that self-determination applies to peoples within existing states (internal self-determination) as a primary obligation.

Key provisions

• Art. 1(1) — all peoples' right to self-determination
• Art. 1(2) — right to freely dispose of natural wealth and resources
• Art. 1(3) — state party obligation to promote self-determination
• HRC General Comment No. 12 (1984) — elaboration of Art. 1

Primary source

Related entries

• → ICESCR Article 1 — Right of Self-Determination (UN)
• → UNGA Resolution 1514 (XV) 1960 — Declaration on Decolonisation (UN)
• → UNGA Resolution 2625 (XXV) 1970 — Friendly Relations Declaration (UN)
• → UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) 2007 (UN)
• → ICJ Advisory Opinion on Kosovo — Accordance with International Law of Declaration of Independence (2010) (UN)