International Relations beyond the European Union
Peoples, Communities and International Cooperation
The Confederation of Humanitarian Nations (CNU) develops relations with communities, organizations, public institutions and international partners in different regions of the world.
These relations are based on human dignity, peaceful cooperation, respect for applicable law, local capacity building and the protection of fundamental rights.
Among the principles considered by the CNU is the right of peoples to self-determination, understood within the broader framework of international law and peaceful relations among peoples and States.
The Right of Peoples to Self-Determination
The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples is recognized in the Charter of the United Nations and in common Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Other regional and international instruments have further developed or reaffirmed aspects of this principle.
In the African regional system, Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights expressly recognizes the right of peoples to existence and self-determination.
The Helsinki Final Act also recognizes the equal rights and self-determination of peoples within a broader framework that includes sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-intervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Historical and civil-society instruments, including the 1976 Universal Declaration of the Rights of Peoples adopted in Algiers, have also contributed to international discussion concerning collective rights, cultural identity and the rights of peoples.
Self-Determination and International Law
The CNU recognizes that self-determination is a complex legal principle whose application depends on the historical, political, territorial and legal circumstances of each case.
Self-determination does not automatically imply secession, independence or the creation of a new State.
It may find expression through different forms, including:
- effective political participation;
- cultural and linguistic protection;
- community autonomy;
- forms of local or regional self-government;
- protection of indigenous or traditional institutions;
- economic, social and cultural development;
- negotiated constitutional arrangements;
- and, where supported by applicable international law and the specific circumstances, other forms of political status.
Each situation must therefore be assessed individually and in accordance with the relevant national, regional and international legal framework.
The CNU supports exclusively peaceful, democratic, documented and non-violent approaches.
The Role of the CNU
Under its Statute, the CNU supports the peaceful self-determination of peoples and communities in accordance with international law.
Within this mandate, the Confederation may:
- receive information and documentation from peoples and communities;
- examine historical, legal and humanitarian circumstances;
- facilitate institutional dialogue;
- encourage mediation and peaceful solutions;
- prepare reports, opinions and documentary dossiers;
- support research into relevant international and domestic law;
- facilitate communication with competent authorities and institutions;
- support humanitarian, cultural and community-development programmes;
- provide an internal confederal framework within which admitted communities may cooperate with other CNU members.
The CNU does not replace States, courts, international organizations or other competent authorities.
It does not unilaterally determine statehood, sovereignty, nationality or internationally recognized territorial status.
The CNU Court for the Self-Determination of Peoples
Within the CNU institutional framework, questions concerning self-determination may be examined by the competent CNU bodies, including the Court for the Self-Determination of Peoples.
The Court may receive documented submissions, conduct analysis, request additional information, facilitate expert assessment and formulate opinions or recommendations according to the CNU Statute and its internal regulations.
Its determinations operate within the CNU institutional framework.
They may support documentation, humanitarian advocacy and institutional dialogue but do not replace decisions of competent States, national courts, regional courts or international organizations.
Internal Confederal Recognition
Communities, organizations and other eligible entities admitted to the CNU acquire the status provided for by the CNU Statute and internal regulations.
Such admission may enable them to:
- participate in confederal institutions;
- cooperate with other members;
- develop humanitarian and social projects;
- participate in CNU programmes;
- obtain internal registration and identification;
- use CNU names or symbols where expressly authorized;
- receive institutional support within the limits of the CNU mandate.
This constitutes confederal recognition within the CNU institutional order.
It must be distinguished from recognition by a State, international organization or other public authority.
Admission to the Confederation does not, by itself, establish statehood, sovereignty, nationality or international legal personality.
Documentation and International Communications
The CNU may prepare, certify, notarize or transmit documents concerning its members, institutional decisions and activities where appropriate.
Documents may also be authenticated or apostilled where the applicable legal system and the Hague Apostille Convention permit this.
An Apostille confirms specified aspects of the authenticity and origin of a public document.
It does not certify the substantive truth of all statements contained in the document and does not, by itself, create political recognition, sovereignty, statehood or international legal personality.
The CNU may also notify or transmit documents to competent public authorities, diplomatic missions or international institutions.
Such transmission documents that a communication has been made.
Receipt, registration or absence of objection does not automatically constitute acceptance or international recognition of the legal propositions contained in the document.
Where an authority expressly adopts an act of recognition, authorization, registration or cooperation, the effects of that act are determined by its precise wording and by the applicable legal system.
Identification Credentials
Persons or representatives registered within the CNU may receive CNU credentials intended to certify their identity, membership, mandate or institutional function within the Confederation.
These credentials have the purpose and effects established by the CNU Statute and regulations.
They do not constitute passports, national identity cards, residence permits, certificates of citizenship or internationally recognized travel documents and do not replace documents issued by competent public authorities.
Cooperation with Territorial States
The CNU considers constructive cooperation with the State and public institutions of the territory concerned an important component of sustainable humanitarian and community development.
Where a confederated community operates within the territory of a State, CNU activities seek to promote:
- peaceful institutional dialogue;
- local development;
- cultural preservation;
- education;
- environmental protection;
- social inclusion;
- humanitarian cooperation;
- responsible participation in community life.
The objective is not to create parallel public authorities but to strengthen the ability of communities to contribute positively to the territories in which they live.
Different Regions, Different Legal Frameworks
The CNU recognizes that there is no single legal procedure applicable to every country or community.
Rules concerning associations, foreign organizations, indigenous peoples, traditional communities, territorial autonomy, registration, humanitarian activities and international cooperation differ significantly between jurisdictions.
CNU Missions and confederated organizations therefore operate according to the law applicable in the country concerned and, where required, obtain the authorizations, registrations or agreements necessary for their activities.
No internal CNU act can remove or override obligations imposed by the applicable national legal order.
From Recognition to Cooperation
The CNU’s objective is not to create status through unilateral declarations.
Its objective is to create conditions in which communities can document their identity and needs, participate in structured dialogue, develop their capacities and build legitimate relationships with institutions and other communities.
Where questions of legal or political status arise, durable results depend on dialogue, applicable law and the acts of the competent authorities.
The Confederation therefore promotes a model based on documentation, mediation, participation and cooperation rather than confrontation.
A Global Confederal Network
The CNU brings together organizations, communities and other actors from different legal and cultural environments.
Their diversity is considered an institutional resource.
Through the confederal framework, members may cooperate while retaining their own identity, history and organizational autonomy, subject to the CNU Statute and applicable law.
The long-term objective is to develop an international network in which the protection of human dignity, cultural identity, peaceful self-determination and local development can reinforce rather than oppose stable and constructive relations among communities and States.