Self-determination and cultural rights

Abstract

Self-determination has broadly two components: one relates to participation and the other concerns identity. Until recently, contemporary discourse on self-determination has largely centred on the former. Yet, from its earliest conceptions, self-determination has been inextricably tied to notions of identity of peoples - and cultural rights. This paper examines the evolving link between self-determination and cultural rights in modern international law. By detailing this often tandem, sometimes overlapping, development, it is argued that the reformulation and reinforcement of self-determination in recent decades has had an accompanying impact upon cultural rights.