Itsemääräämiseen

Itsemääräämiseen, or self-determination, refers to the principle that a people or territorial community has the right to freely determine its political status and to pursue its economic, social, and cultural development. It encompasses both external self-determination (such as independence or changes to constitutional status) and internal self-determination (such as autonomy, language rights, and local governance within a larger state).

In international law, the right is rooted in the United Nations Charter and is elaborated in instruments like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICESCR). The concept has historically been most prominent in decolonization, where colonized peoples gained the right to choose their political status. Today, self-determination also covers internal arrangements that accommodate diverse linguistic, cultural, and regional identities within states, including regional autonomy, federalism, and minority protections.

Forms of self-determination vary by context. External self-determination seeks a change in sovereignty or political status, often through peaceful means and negotiations. Internal self-determination aims to shape governance within an existing state, ensuring meaningful participation, language and cultural rights, and devolved powers to regional or local authorities. The balance between territorial integrity and the right to self-determination can be complex and contested, particularly where secessionist claims intersect with national unity and legal frameworks.

In Finland, debates about itsemääräämiseen frequently reference regional and minority rights. The Åland Islands have a long-standing autonomous status with their own regional institutions, while the Sámi people are represented by the Sámi Parliament and protections for Sámi languages and culture are recognized in national and international contexts.