The Right to Self-Determination: A Core Principle in KKF’s Advocacy for the Khmer-Krom
I. The right to self-determination
The right to self-determination is a fundamental and universal principle enshrined in international law. It is the right of all peoples to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. This right is not only a moral imperative—it is a legal guarantee recognized under the United Nations Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), all of which Vietnam has ratified as a member state of the United Nations.
As an organization founded to represent and protect the rights of the voiceless Khmer-Krom, the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) has worked tirelessly to advocate for the Khmer-Krom people’s right to self-determination. KKF’s advocacy is rooted in the nonviolent principles of international law and guided by the belief that indigenous peoples—such as the Khmer-Krom—must have the freedom to preserve their cultural identity, control their ancestral lands, and participate fully in decisions affecting their lives.
The following key international instruments define and protect the right to self-determination:
1. The Charter of the United Nations (1945)
Article 1(2) affirms the purpose of the UN to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Article 1(1): “All peoples have the right of self-determination.”
3.International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
Article 1(1): “All peoples have the right of self-determination.”
4.United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
Article 3: “Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination.”
By invoking these international laws, KKF continues its peaceful and persistent campaign to empower the Khmer-Krom, ensuring that their right to self-determination is respected—not only as a principle, but as a lived reality.