What is national self-determination?
When a people pursue national self-determination, they are trying to gain - or keep - the power to control their own affairs. They believe it is in their collective interest to make their own decisions about what will benefit them. At one time, for example, Kosovo was part of Yugoslavia. When the Yugoslav federation broke up in the 1990s, the area became a province of Serbia. Then, in February 2008, Kosovo's government declared independence. About 90 per cent of Kosovars are ethnic Albanians; most of the rest are ethnic Serbians. Most Albanian Kosovars are Muslims, but most Serbian Kosovars are Christians who belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church. These religious divisions are closely connected to ethnic divisions, and Kosovo has endured centuries of religious and ethnic conflict.
In the 1990s, the conflict between the two groups became so violent that the United Nations sent NATO troops to administer the province. UN forces were still in control when independence was declared. Though most Albanian Kosovars celebrated their declaration of independence, members of the Serbian minority were afraid of losing their rights and their ancient traditions and culture, which date from the 14th century.
In the 1990s, the conflict between the two groups became so violent that the United Nations sent NATO troops to administer the province. UN forces were still in control when independence was declared. Though most Albanian Kosovars celebrated their declaration of independence, members of the Serbian minority were afraid of losing their rights and their ancient traditions and culture, which date from the 14th century.
|
|