For Self-Determination & Peace!

TWO DAYS AGO, Nations without States – NwS – held a very successful conference, in Slough, Berkshire.

Some of the speakers & delegates – representing different nations and peoples – at a recent ‘Self-Determination & Peace’ conference. Nations & peoples are rooted in positive aspects – such as ancestry, heritage and ethnicity. Therefore, self-determinists reject negative aspects, like colonialism, imperialism & forced migration (which are ultimately driven by capitalism) as well as all forms of hatred. True self-determinists are motivated by love & not hate.

The ‘Self-Determination & Peace’ conference was jointly organised with the New World Human Rights Watch & the Mustaqbill Foundation.

The meeting included speakers & delegates representing different nations & peoples including Ahwazi Arabs (from Iran), England, Kashmiris, Sikhs, & Tamils.

The meeting – which sought to promote the idea that self-determination is the only way to achieve peace – featured several speakers.

One of the most well-known was Dr. Sockalingham ‘Yogi’ Yogaligam, who is the President of Movement for Self-Determination of Tamil Eelam (MSDTE) & a Committee Member of Nations without States.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION

Speaking specifically about the plight of the Tamils (of North & East of Sri Lanka) Yogi noted that their ‘fundamental right to self-determination has been denied, suppressed, and violently resisted.’

He continued by stressing that the ‘Tamil people of the island of Sri Lanka are a distinct nation. We have our own language, our own homeland, our own historical consciousness.’

All those who support the concept of self-determination will know that a common language, homeland & historical consciousness form the building blocks of any nation.

Nations & peoples are rooted in positive aspects – such as ancestry, heritage and ethnicity. Therefore, self-determinists reject negative aspects, like colonialism, imperialism & forced migration (which are ultimately driven by capitalism) as well as all forms of hatred.

Echoing this theme (and once again using the plight of the Tamils as an example) Yogi stated that peace ‘must be built on truth, accountability, and recognition. Recognition of the Tamil nation. Recognition of our right to decide our future. Recognition that reconciliation cannot be built on denial.’

TRUTH IS ON OUR SIDE

He concluded by stressing that gaining self-determination can be a long and difficult journey. However, ‘truth is on our side. And truth, when pursued with determination and unity, cannot be extinguished’.

As we’ve previously noted, Yogi’s speech specifically related to the Tamils & their quest for nationhood. It’s something that all self-determinists can relate to. To illustrate this, the ‘Self-Determination & Peace’ conference was held in Berkshire, England. Yet England is the only ‘Home Nation’ that isn’t self-governing! (Scotland, Ulster & Wales all have their own assembly or parliament. Westminster, whilst located in England, is not an English parliament but a UK one.)

The meeting concluded by unanimously passing the following resolution:

‘We the attendees of Self-Determinist (SD) Conference in Slough 15/06/25 agree that the greatest contribution to Peace right now in the world is the peaceful implementation of SD everywhere e.g. a referendum on Khalistan (in India) and a plebiscite in Kashmir as mandated by the UN.’