Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization | |
---|---|
Members of UNPO. Former members are in dark gray. | |
Membership | 44 groups[1] |
Leaders | |
• President[2] | Edna Adan Ismail |
• Vice-Presidents[2] | Elisenda Paluzie Rubina Greenwood |
• Presidency members include | Abdirahman Mahdi Dolkun Isa Paul Strauss Tina Rose Muña Barnes |
Establishment | 11 February 1991 |
Website {{{1}}} |
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, or simply UNPO is an international organization established to facilitate the voices of unrepresented and marginalised nations and peoples worldwide. It was formed on 11 February 1991[3][4] in The Hague, Netherlands. Its members consist of indigenous peoples, minorities, and unrecognised or occupied territories.
UNPO works to develop the understanding of and respect for the right to self-determination, provides advice and support related to questions of international recognition and political autonomy, trains groups on how to advocate for their causes effectively, and directly advocates for an international response to human rights violations perpetrated against UNPO member groups. Some former members, such as Armenia, East Timor, Estonia, Latvia, Georgia and Palau, have gained full independence and joined the United Nations (UN).[5][6]
UNPO was conceived of in the 1980s by leaders of self-determination movements, Linnart Mäll of the Congress of Estonia, Erkin Alptekin of East Turkestan, and Lodi Gyari of Tibet, together with Michael van Walt van Praag (nl), along with the international law adviser of the 14th Dalai Lama. The founders were representatives of national movements of Estonia, Latvia, Tibet, Crimean Tatars, Armenia, Georgia, Tatarstan, East Turkestan, East Timor, Australian Aboriginals, the Cordillera in the Philippines, the Greek minority in Albania, Kurdistan, Palau, Taiwan, and West Papua.[7] A key UNPO goal was, and remains, to replicate the success of the 14th Dalai Lama's and the Tibetan people's non-violent message in the face of oppression and occupation.[8][9]
UNPO chose for its founding headquarters in 1991 The Hague in the Netherlands because the city aimed at becoming the International City of Peace and Justice and hosts international courts like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC). A Foundation was established in the Netherlands to provide secretarial support to the UNPO General Assembly and to carry out research and educational activities related to unrepresented peoples worldwide. The Foundation maintains a permanent presence before the European Union, United States and United Nations. It is funded by a combination of member contributions, donations from individuals and project-based grants from foundations.[citation needed]
UNPO's vision is to affirm democracy as a fundamental human right, implement human, civil and political rights worldwide, uphold the universal right to autonomy and self-determination, and further federalism. It encourages nonviolent methodologies to reach peaceful solutions to conflicts and oppression. UNPO supports members in getting their human and cultural rights respected and in preserving their environments. The organization provides a forum for members to network and assists them in participating at an international level.[8]
Although UNPO members often have different goals, they have one thing in common: they are generally not represented diplomatically (or only with a minor status, such as observer) in major international institutions, such as the United Nations (UN). As a result, their ability to have their concerns addressed by the global bodies mandated to protect human rights and address conflict is limited.[8]
UNPO is dedicated to the five principles enshrined in its Covenant:
All members are required to sign and abide by the UNPO Covenant.[10] UNPO members are required to be nonviolent.[11]
The following are listed as members by the UNPO.[12]
Original members are listed with pink background and in bold. Members who are recognised as independent countries by at least 1 UN Member or by other countries recognised by at least 1 UN member are marked by asterisk (*).
Member | Date joined | Represented by | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Abkhazians* | 1991 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia | [13] |
Aceh | 1991 | Acheh-Sumatra National Liberation Front | [14] |
Template:Country data Volkstaat Afrikaners | 2008 | Freedom Front Plus | [15] |
Ahwazi | 2003 | Democratic Solidarity Party of Ahwaz | [16] |
Assyrians | 1991 | Assyrian Universal Alliance | [17] |
Balochistan | 2008 | Balochistan National Party (Mengal) | [18] |
Template:Country data Barotseland Barotseland | 2013 | Barotse National Freedom Alliance | [19] |
Bellah people | 2017 | Malian Association for the Preservation of Bellah Culture | [20] |
Biafra | 2020 | Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra/Biafra Independence Movement | [1][21] |
Template:Country data Brittany Brittany | 2015 | Kelc’h An Dael (br) | [22] |
Catalans | 2018 | Assemblea Nacional Catalana | [23] |
Chittagong Hill Tracts | 1991 | Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti | [24] |
Crimean Tatars | 1991 | Milli Mejlis | [25] |
District of Columbia (Washington, DC) | 2015 | D.C. Statehood Congressional Delegation | [26] |
Template:Country data East Turkestan East Turkestan | 1991 | World Uyghur Congress | [27] |
Gilgit Baltistan | 2008 | Gilgit Baltistan Democratic Alliance | [28] |
Guam | 2020 | Government of Guam | [1][21] |
Haratin | 2011 | Initiative de Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste en Mauritanie | [29] |
Hmong | 2007 | Congress of World Hmong People | [30] |
Iranian Kurds | 2007 | Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan | [31] |
Kabylia | 2017 | MAK-Anavad | [32] |
Khmer Krom | 2001 | Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation | [33] |
Lezghin | 2012 | Federal Lezgian National and Cultural Autonomy | [34] |
Nagalim | 1993 | National Socialist Council of Nagalim | [35] |
Template:Country data Ogaden Ogaden | 2010 | Ogaden National Liberation Front | [36] |
Template:Country data Ogoni Ogoni | 1993 | Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People | [37] |
Oromo | 2004 | Oromo Liberation Front | [38] |
Rehoboth Basters | 2007 | Captains Council | [39] |
Template:Country data Savoy Savoy | 2014 | Provisional Government of the State of Savoy | [40] |
Sindhis | 2002 | World Sindhi Congress | [41] |
Somaliland* | 2004 | Government of Somaliland | [42] |
Template:Country data South Moluccas South Moluccas | 1991 | Republic of South Moluccas | [43] |
Southern Azerbaijanis | 2007 | South Azerbaijan Democratic Party | [44] |
Southern Mongolians | 2007 | Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center | [45] |
Sulu | 2015 | Sulu Foundation of Nine Ethnic Tribes | [46] |
Taiwan* | 1991 | Taiwan Foundation for Democracy | [47] |
Tibet | 1991 | Central Tibetan Administration | [48] |
West Balochistan | 2005 | Balochistan People's Party | [49] |
Western Togolanders | 2017 | Homeland Study Group Foundation | [50] |
Template:Country data Republic of West Papua West Papuans | 11 February 1991 | Free Papua Movement | [7][51] |
Yoruba people | 2020 | Yoruba World Congress | [1][21] |
Zambesia | 2020 | Movement for the Survival of the River Races of Zambesia | [1][21] |
Some members of the UNPO have left because of United Nations (UN) recognition, autonomy agreements, or for other reasons.
The following lists former and suspended members.[12]
Former members who became part of the UN are highlighted with a blue background and italics. Original members (from 11 February 1991) are listed with pink background and in bold. Former members who are recognised as independent countries by at least 1 UN Member or by other countries recognised by at least 1 UN member are marked by asterisk (*). Suspended members are marked by yellow background.
Former member | Date joined | Date withdrew | Note | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aboriginals of Australia | 1991 | 2012 | Represented by National Committee to Defend Black Rights | [52] |
Albanians in North Macedonia | 1994 | 2008 | Reached agreement on wider rights with North Macedonia in 2001 | [53] |
Amazigh | 2014 | 2016 | Represented by World Amazigh Congress | [54] |
Ambazonia | 2006 | 2021 | Represented by the Southern Cameroons National Council and Ambazonia Governing Council (from September 2018). | [55] |
Armenia | 1991 | 1992 | Became member of the UN in 1992 | [56] |
Bashkortostan | 1996 | 1998 | [57] | |
Batwa | 1993 | 2019 | Cultural Conservation Act | [58] |
Bougainville | 1991 | 2008 | Reached an agreement with Papua New Guinea in 2021, in which Bougainville will be independent by 2027 | [59] |
Buffalo River Dene Nation | 2004 | 2009 | [60] | |
Burma | 2008 | 2010 | Represented by National Council of the Union of Burma. The Myanmar military junta was dissolved in 2011. | [61] |
Buryatia | 1996 | 2010 | Represented by All-Buryat Association for the Development of Culture | [62] |
Cabinda | 1997 | 2011 | Represented by the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda | [63] |
Chameria | 2015 | 2019 | Democratic Foundation of Chameria | [64][12] |
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria* | 1991 | 2010 | Government-in-exile in London. | [65] |
Chin | 2001 | 2016 | Represented by Chin National Front | [66] |
Chuvash | 1993 | 2008 | Represented by the Chuvash National Congress | [67] |
Template:Country data Circassia Circassia | 1994 | 2015 | Represented by International Circassian Association | [68] |
Cordillera | 1991 | 2015 | Represented by Cordillera Peoples' Alliance | [69] |
Degar-Montagnards | 2003 | 2016 | Represented by Montagnard Foundation, Inc. | [70] |
East Timor | 1993 | 2002 | Became member of the UN in 2002 | [71] |
Estonia | 1991 | 1991 | Became member of the UN in 1991 | [72] |
Gagauzia | 1994 | 2007 | Reached autonomy agreement with Moldova in 1994 | [73] |
Georgia | 1991 | 1992 | Became member of the UN in 1991 | [74] |
Greek minority in Albania | 1991 | 2012 | Represented by Omonoia | [75] |
Hungarian minority in Romania | 1994 | 2015 | Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania | [76] |
Ingushetia | 1994 | 2008 | [77] | |
Inkeri | 1993 | 2009 | [78] | |
Iraqi Kurdistan | 1991 | 2015 | Represented by Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan | [79] |
Iraqi Turkmen | 1991 | 2016 | Represented by Iraqi Turkmen Front, Turkmen Nationalist Movement, Turkmen Wafa Movement, and Islamic Union of Iraqi Turkmens | [80] |
Kalahui Hawaii | 1993 | 2012 | Represented by Ka Lahui Hawaii | [81] |
Karenni State | 1993 | 2012 | Represented by Karenni National Progressive Party[failed verification] | [82] |
Khalistan | 1993[83] | 4 August 1993 | Membership suspended on 4 August 1993 and suspension made permanent 22 January 1995.[84] | [85] |
Komi | 1993 | 2009 | [86] | |
Template:Country data Kosova Kosovo* | 1991 | 2018 | Represented by Democratic League of Kosovo | [87] |
Kumyk | 1997 | 2008 | [88] | |
Lakota Nation | 1994 | 2007 | Followed by the declaration of the Republic of Lakotah | [89] |
Latin American Indigenous Peoples (Project) | 2016 | ? | [12] | |
Latvia | 1991 | 1991 | Became member of the UN in 1991 | [90] |
Template:Country data Maasai people Maasai | 2004 | 2012 | Represented by Maasai Women for Education and Economic Development | [91] |
Maohi | 1994 | 2007 | Represented by Hiti Tau | [92] |
Madhesh | 2017 | October 30 2023 | Represented by Alliance for Independent Madhesh | [93] |
Mapuche | 1993 | 2016 | Represented by Mapuche Inter-Regional Council | [94] |
Mari | 1991 | 2009 | [95] | |
Mon | 1996 | 2012 | Represented by Mon Unity League | [96] |
Moro | 2010 | 2014 | Represented by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, autonomy and peace deal with the government in 2014 | [97] |
Nahua Del Alto Balsas | 2004 | 2008 | [98] | |
Nuxalk Nation | 1998 | 2008 | [99] | |
Palau (Belau) | 1991 | 1994 | Became member of the UN in 1994 | [100] |
Rusyn | 1998 | 2007 | [101] | |
Sakha | 1993 | 1998 | [102] | |
Template:Country data Sandžak Sanjak | 1993 | 2011 | Represented by the Bosnian National Council of Sanjak | [103] |
Template:Country data Skåneland Scania (Skåneland) | 1993 | 2011 | Membership suspended on 18 September 2011.[104] | [105] |
Shan | 1997 | 2010 | [106] | |
South Arabia | 2016 | Represented by the Southern Democratic Assembly for Self-Determination for South Arabia's People | [107] | |
Talysh | 2014 | National Talysh Movement | [108] | |
Tatarstan | 1991 | 2008 | [109] | |
Trieste (Free Territory of Trieste) | 2014 | Represented by TRIEST NGO | [110] | |
Tsimshian | 2007 | 2011 | [111] | |
Tuva | 1996 | 2010 | [112] | |
Udmurt | 1993 | 2013 | Represented by Udmurt Council | [113] |
Vhavenda | 2003 | 2015 | Represented by Dabalorivhuwa Patriotic Front | [114] |
Zanzibar | 1991 | 2015 | Represented by Zanzibar Democratic Alternative, in cooperation with the Civic United Front | [115] |
UNPO's representing nations may become suspended from the Organization if they fail to follow its covenant.[116]
In 24 January 1993, Template:Country data Khalistan was briefly admitted in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, but was suspended in a few months. The membership suspension was made permanent on 22 January 1995.[117][118]
Template:Country data Scania was also suspended on 18 September 2011.[119]
Secretaries general[120]
Name | Term |
---|---|
Michael van Walt van Praag (nl) (Netherlands) | 1991–1998 |
Tsering Jampa (fr) (Tibet) | 1997–1998 |
Helen S. Corbett (Australian Aboriginals) | 1998–1999 |
Template:Country data East Turkestan Erkin Alptekin (Uyghurs) | 1999–2003 |
Marino Busdachin (Italy) | 2003–2018 |
Template:Country data America Ralph J. Bunche III (USA) | 2018–2023 |
Mercè Monje Cano (Catalonia) | 2023–current |
Chair/Presidents of the General Assembly
Special Executive Director
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization.
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