Humanitarian Secession: Examining the Case of the Biafran War
by
Ibekwe Kelechi Dasilva
Group: MPF 233 (Public Policy Analysis)
for
Final Paper: Humanitarian Actions
Lecturer: Professor George Tyulyaev
, 1
Introduction
The concept of Humanitarian secession is quite often referred to as remedial secession, is
a concept that is deeply rooted in the principle of self determination, which allows groups that
are facing severe oppression or human rights violations to seek independence from a state. The
idea emerges from the recognition of when a state has failed to protect the fundamental rights of
her citizens or affected groups which gives rise to a legitimate claim to the last resort of self
governance. Humanitarian secession has its foundation intertwined and connected with
international legal frameworks such as the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), which lays emphasis
on the obligation of states and the international community to safeguard individuals from
atrocities such as ethnic cleansing or genocides (McKenna, 2010). This essay aims to explore the
Biafran War (1967-1970) as a case study that shows the complexities and ethical dilemmas that
surrounds the concept of humanitarian secession especially in relation to international law,
global perception , action and norm.
The Biafran War serves as a typical example of how humanitarian crises can prop the call
and cries for secession, raising questions about its legitimacy and what the implications could be.
the issues that will be addressed in this essay will include Nigeria colonial history and how it
impacted and ethnic divisions , the legal ambiguities that surrounds secession claims and the
interestingly varied responses of the international community. All these will contribute to deeper
understanding of humanitarian secession especially in contemporary international relations ,
particularly when the sovereignty of a state is in conflict with human right protection.
Conceptual Foundations of Humanitarian Secession
Humanitarian secession can be defined as a form of self-determination exercised by
groups facing systemic oppression or existential threats which allows them to seek independence
when all other approaches of addressing the problem diplomatically has failed. The concept of
humanitarian secession is derived from broader concepts in international law. Recognized in
fundamental texts such as the United Nations Charter (Article 1(2)) which lists one of its purpose
as
"To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle
of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate
measures to strengthen universal peace". United Nations. (1945).
and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 1), which states that
by
Ibekwe Kelechi Dasilva
Group: MPF 233 (Public Policy Analysis)
for
Final Paper: Humanitarian Actions
Lecturer: Professor George Tyulyaev
, 1
Introduction
The concept of Humanitarian secession is quite often referred to as remedial secession, is
a concept that is deeply rooted in the principle of self determination, which allows groups that
are facing severe oppression or human rights violations to seek independence from a state. The
idea emerges from the recognition of when a state has failed to protect the fundamental rights of
her citizens or affected groups which gives rise to a legitimate claim to the last resort of self
governance. Humanitarian secession has its foundation intertwined and connected with
international legal frameworks such as the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), which lays emphasis
on the obligation of states and the international community to safeguard individuals from
atrocities such as ethnic cleansing or genocides (McKenna, 2010). This essay aims to explore the
Biafran War (1967-1970) as a case study that shows the complexities and ethical dilemmas that
surrounds the concept of humanitarian secession especially in relation to international law,
global perception , action and norm.
The Biafran War serves as a typical example of how humanitarian crises can prop the call
and cries for secession, raising questions about its legitimacy and what the implications could be.
the issues that will be addressed in this essay will include Nigeria colonial history and how it
impacted and ethnic divisions , the legal ambiguities that surrounds secession claims and the
interestingly varied responses of the international community. All these will contribute to deeper
understanding of humanitarian secession especially in contemporary international relations ,
particularly when the sovereignty of a state is in conflict with human right protection.
Conceptual Foundations of Humanitarian Secession
Humanitarian secession can be defined as a form of self-determination exercised by
groups facing systemic oppression or existential threats which allows them to seek independence
when all other approaches of addressing the problem diplomatically has failed. The concept of
humanitarian secession is derived from broader concepts in international law. Recognized in
fundamental texts such as the United Nations Charter (Article 1(2)) which lists one of its purpose
as
"To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle
of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate
measures to strengthen universal peace". United Nations. (1945).
and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 1), which states that
