Relations with European Institutions and Communities
Dialogue, Human Rights and the Self-Determination of Peoples
The Confederation of Humanitarian Nations (CNU) promotes constructive relations with European institutions, public authorities, civil-society organizations, communities and other actors engaged in human rights, peaceful cooperation and sustainable development.
Within Europe, questions concerning cultural identity, minority rights, territorial autonomy, political participation and self-determination may arise in very different historical, constitutional and legal contexts.
The CNU approaches these questions through dialogue, documentation, mediation and respect for applicable national and international law.
Its purpose is not to determine unilaterally the political or legal status of a people or territory, but to provide a structured humanitarian and institutional framework through which legitimate concerns concerning identity, participation and collective rights can be examined peacefully and responsibly.
Self-Determination in International Law
The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples is expressly recognized in the Charter of the United Nations and developed through other instruments of international law.
The CNU therefore recognizes self-determination as an important principle of international law while also recognizing that its application depends on the specific legal, historical and factual circumstances of each situation.
Self-determination does not automatically imply secession or the creation of a new State.
Depending on the circumstances, it may involve forms of political participation, cultural autonomy, preservation of identity, local or regional self-government, institutional representation or other arrangements compatible with applicable law.
The CNU supports exclusively peaceful, democratic and non-violent means of pursuing claims related to self-determination.
The European Union and International Law
European Union law does not establish a general procedure through which a community within a Member State may unilaterally obtain independence under EU law.
At the same time, the European Union’s external action is expressly guided by respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
The CNU therefore considers dialogue with European institutions and Member States particularly important whenever questions of human rights, cultural identity, minority protection, community participation or self-determination arise.
The objective is to encourage peaceful and legally informed solutions while respecting the constitutional order and institutional responsibilities applicable in each case.
CNU’s Role
Under its Statute, the CNU supports the peaceful self-determination of peoples and communities in accordance with international law.
Its role may include:
- receiving and documenting information submitted by communities;
- facilitating dialogue among communities, institutions and relevant organizations;
- providing or commissioning legal and historical research;
- supporting mediation and non-violent dispute resolution;
- preparing humanitarian and institutional reports;
- facilitating access to appropriate national, European or international mechanisms;
- promoting protection of cultural identity and community participation;
- supporting institutional contacts where appropriate.
The CNU does not substitute itself for States, courts, European institutions or other bodies competent to determine legal status.
Nor can the CNU unilaterally confer statehood, nationality, territorial sovereignty or international recognition upon a community or organization.
Recognition and International Status
The CNU distinguishes clearly between:
internal confederal recognition,
institutional cooperation,
formal recognition by public authorities, and
recognition under international law.
Admission to the CNU or recognition within its internal confederal system produces effects within the institutional framework of the Confederation according to its Statute.
It does not, by itself, create statehood, diplomatic status, nationality or recognition by States or international organizations.
Where a competent State, public authority or international institution adopts an act concerning a CNU member or community, the legal effects of that act depend exclusively on its content, the authority that issued it and the applicable law.
Public Documents and Apostilles
The CNU may use notarized, certified or apostilled documents when appropriate for international documentary purposes.
An Apostille issued under the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the signatory acted and, where applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp appearing on the public document.
An Apostille does not validate the substantive content of the underlying document and does not constitute recognition of political status, sovereignty, statehood or international legal personality.
Accordingly, the CNU does not regard apostillation alone as creating international recognition.
Notifications to Public Authorities
The CNU may transmit or notify institutional documents, declarations, reports or other material to States, European institutions and other competent authorities.
Such notifications are intended to promote transparency, documentary traceability and institutional dialogue.
The receipt or registration of a communication does not, by itself, constitute recognition, approval or acceptance of the legal claims contained in the document.
Whenever a competent authority provides an express response, authorization, recognition or other formal act, its significance is assessed according to the applicable law and the precise wording of that act.
CNU Identification and Confederal Credentials
Members, representatives or organizations admitted within the CNU system may receive CNU identification credentials and certificates for internal institutional identification and verification.
Such documentation demonstrates the relationship between the holder and the Confederation according to CNU internal rules.
CNU credentials do not constitute passports, national identity cards, certificates of nationality or travel documents and do not replace identification documents issued by competent State authorities.
The use of CNU names, symbols and insignia is governed by the Statute and internal regulations and must always respect applicable domestic law.
Communities and Confederated Members
The CNU offers communities and organizations a framework through which they may preserve their identity, develop humanitarian and social projects, establish international relationships and participate in the Confederation’s activities.
Membership within the CNU does not require communities to abandon their cultural, historical or organizational identity.
The confederal model is intended instead to facilitate cooperation while preserving diversity and local autonomy.
Relations with European Institutions
The CNU seeks constructive dialogue with:
- European Union institutions and bodies;
- the European External Action Service where relevant;
- national governments and public authorities of European States;
- regional and local authorities;
- the Council of Europe and other relevant European organizations;
- civil-society and human-rights organizations;
- academic and research institutions.
Relations are developed according to their actual institutional and legal nature.
Contacts, meetings or correspondence do not automatically imply accreditation, partnership or formal recognition unless this has been expressly established by the competent institution.
A Culture of Peaceful Dialogue
The CNU believes that questions concerning identity, autonomy and self-determination should never be approached through violence or institutional confrontation.
Durable solutions require dialogue, credible information, respect for human rights and recognition of the legitimate competences of all parties involved.
The Confederation therefore seeks to create spaces in which communities and institutions can engage constructively, examine available legal and social options and identify peaceful solutions capable of protecting both human dignity and long-term social cohesion.
The purpose of CNU engagement in Europe is not to create new divisions, but to contribute to dialogue capable of reconciling identity, human rights, institutional stability and peaceful cooperation.