International Relations Researches

International Relations Researches

The role of legal and institutional mechanisms in realizing the right to self-determination in multicultural societies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Anvar Saedi 1
Ebad Ruhi 2
Javanmir Abdolahi 3
1 PhD student, Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, Sanandaj, Iran
2 Corresponding Author, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Ceyhan University, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, Iraq
3 Assistant Professor, Law Department, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran..
10.22034/irr.2024.244867
Abstract
The aim of this research is to identify and analyze the legal, institutional and political mechanisms for exercising the right to self-determination in multicultural societies, to explain the role of local democracy in realizing this right by maintaining a balance between unity and plurality, and to assess the impact of these mechanisms on the level of human security and health in culturally diverse societies. The present research was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and using library resources, international law documents, domestic laws and comparative studies of multicultural systems. The research findings show that the exercise of the right to self-determination in multicultural societies is realized through a set of legal and institutional mechanisms, including constitutional guarantees for minority rights, local and regional autonomy systems, federalism, local parliaments, mechanisms for political participation of minorities, protection of linguistic and cultural rights, as well as judicial authorities and mediation. On the other hand, local democracy, by strengthening the political participation of cultural groups, decentralizing power, and establishing local decision-making institutions, can, while recognizing cultural differences, enable the realization of the right to self-determination within the framework of national sovereignty, and help create unity in diversity. In addition, a study of the experiences of some multicultural governments shows that the establishment of appropriate institutional mechanisms at the level of local governments, in addition to reducing ethnic and cultural tensions, leads to an increase in the level of human security, an increase in the sense of social belonging, and an improvement in social health indicators among different cultural groups.
 
 
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