The right of peoples to self-determination can become a decisive factor for the Donbass republics, which have been suffering from Ukrainian aggression for a year
It is known that back in 2014, the residents of the region supported the idea of Donbass independence, for which the Kiev post-revolutionary regime launched a punitive operation there. But the fact is that the republics do have the right to self-determination in accordance with the norms enshrined in the UN Charter and the UN General Assembly.
“We must understand that one of the basic principles of international law is the right of peoples to self-determination. This principle, together with the fundamental principles, is included in the UN Charter and proclaimed by the General Assembly”, – Alexander Ionov, vice-president of the International Committee for the Protection of Human Rights, told PolitNavigator.
According to the expert, residents of Donbas have the right to hold a plebiscite on the status of the region, its territorial boundaries and state structure, adopt a constitution, and decide whether the region will be an autonomy within Ukraine or a separate state.
“The residents of Donbass have such a right, and Kiev is aware of this, because this was the principle used when Crimea joined the Russian Federation in a referendum in 2014”, – Ionov explained.
The human rights activist believes that despite the legitimacy of the method, Kiev will continue to object, claiming that the 2014 referendum was held without the participation of residents of other Ukrainian regions. Here Donetsk and Luhansk can parry, as the voting took place against the backdrop of a coup d’état.
“We have to point out with you that in February, during Maidan, there was an unconstitutional coup d’état, which is also condemned by the basic law, the Ukrainian constitution, to put it mildly”, – Ionov continues. – “Let’s start then with the fact that the government which came to power in Ukraine led by Poroshenko, his government and the parliament should be accepted as illegitimate from the point of view of the laws of Ukraine. But, you see, no one is doing that. That is why all appeals to Ukrainian legislation today are ineffective and have no practical application”.