Nations without States Conference Asks ‘What About Us?’

Nations without States supports the UN recognition of the sovereignty of an independent Palestinian state. This was most welcome but long overdue. However, delegates wondered why the UN ignores other nations & peoples who desire some form of Self-Determination.

A WEEK AGO, Nations without States – https://www.facebook.com/groups/184919468292372 – held a very successful conference in Northwest London.

Held in conjunction with its Annual Jagdeesh Singh (RIP) Memorial Lecture, NwS delegates discussed the announcement by the UK – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-formally-recognises-palestinian-state – alongside France & Canada, that they’d recognise a Palestinian state ‘to protect the viability of a two-state solution and create a path towards lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people.’

INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE

At the UN General Assembly in New York, the UK, France, Australia, Canada and others joined most UN members by recognising the sovereignty of an independent Palestinian state. This was most welcome but long overdue.

However, since there is not a functioning Palestinian area such a declaration was largely symbolic. Therefore, it’s unlikely to require or trigger any meaningful actions to change the situation in respect of Israel & Palestine.

With the above in mind, Nations without States – NwS – believes that the statement is simply political posturing.

It’s just a way of appeasing pro-Palestinian sentiment amongst the public (but also keeping the principle of a ‘Two State’ solution alive).

However, the symbolism of recognition is an acceptance that self-determination is a worthy principle.

OTHER SUPPRESSED NATIONS

But the question on everyone’s lips was ‘What About Us?’ If the UK & others can support self-determination for one nation or people – in this case, Palestine and the Palestinians – why not all nations and peoples?

NwS delegates asked why the same Western states didn’t recognise other suppressed nations. These include Tamil Eelam (in Sri Lanka), Khalistan (Sikhs in India), Southern Cameroons (English speakers in Francophone Cameroun), Kashmir (in India), Catalonia (in Spain) and so on. Indeed, it’s thought that around 100 similar cases exist worldwide.

Speakers touched upon the reasons. They include:

The UN not wishing to increase the number of states for practical purposes, supporting the status quo,

Individual ties,

Personal or state business interests,

Not wishing to upset those relationships with existing states – usually a myriad of ex-colonial territories, and

Fear that one successful cause of Self-Determination may set of a domino effect that may reach their own state.

Speakers ranged from Tamil, Ahwazi, Matabele, Sikh, (with others). All examined the prospects for Self-Determination in their own countries & questioned why the world’s politicians ignore their plight?

The valuable, intense and well attended meeting also looked at the option of fighting UK elections on a Self-Determination For All! ticket. NwS has supported this tactic in the past and may well use it in the future.