Kurdistan and Balochistan: Is National Self-Determination a Left/Right Issue?

Is the left becoming suspicious of the idea of self-determination for stateless ethnic groups, just as the right warms up to it?

by: Martin W. Lewis

I have been wondering for some time how the issue of self-determination for so-called stateless nations fits into the standard, one-dimensional political spectrum. Historically, those on the left have been more favorably disposed to “national liberation struggles” than those on the right, who have more often advocated stability and the maintenance of the geopolitical status quo. By the same token, most of the best-known groups of the late 20th century that sought the independence of their homelands staked out positions on the left, and often on the far left. Prominent examples here include the Kurdish separatists in Turkey, Catalan and Basque separatists in Spain, and Quebecois separatists in Canada. Even support for Scottish independence tilts left, and I suspect that most international advocates of a “Free Tibet” lean in the same direction.

Baloch people have a right to self-determination: US lawmaker

Washington: Voicing concern over the alleged human rights violations in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, a top US lawmaker has said that Baloch people have a right to self-determination.

“This abysmal human rights record of the Pakistani government is shameful. It is even worse because American foreign and military aid contributes to strengthening the security forces which kill innocent Balochis. The Baloch people have a right to self-determination and not to live under the control of Islamabad, if they choose,” Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said in his remarks in the US House of Representatives on Friday.

A member of European parliament plans to table a resolution in support of Baloch struggle

GENEVA: Exiled Balochs have stepped up their movement at the international level with a highly visible and vocal presence this year at the 19th Session of UN Human Rights Council.

Pakistani lobbyists, Kashmiri and Gilgiti groups – both for and against Pakistan – are also active organising briefings and meetings, including interventions at the main UN debate on human rights issues, but the Baloch delegates are receiving the most attention from NGOs and delegates from various parts of the world.