Internal Aspects of the Right of Self-Determination: An Alternative to Secession

Although it does not provide a "magic cure" against secession, internal self-determination, both in effect and in practice, diminishes the desire for external self-determination and softens the tendencies toward separatism. The recognized and internationally proclaimed right of self - determination of the people gets a new lease of life through the implementation of its internal aspects as a possible way for the accommodation of the differences of separate groups that exist in society. Although it has still not been established as a right, the legal grounds for practicing internal self-determination can be found in several international documents and the moral basis for identity and the need to practice it within a particular group or sense of group distinctiveness. Since there is insignificant support in the standards of international law for the accommodation of different expectations based on the need to protect and promote any so-called separate nationality, in our efforts to endorse security and peaceful coexistence it may be better to look at the internal aspects of the right of self-determination from a different angle and try to find solutions through measures that are part of the state's democratic traditions. The internal aspect of self - determination offers a wide range of options that need to be taken into account. Although, these are far from perfect, they are still based on presumptions and have many limitations, the costs of the realization of internal self- determination comprise solutions that are worth trying out. Building on theoretical research, this paper addresses the modalities for the realization of internal self - determination. An overview of the necessary tools for addressing the right of self-determination envisages the possible ways that can provide the means for accommodating differences between the existing communities within the established states. The effectiveness and efficiency of these models, depends as well on commitment, and the strong and clear efforts of national and international institutions for using democratic means in the process of conflict settlement.