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Options For Tibet's Future Political Status: Self-Governance Through An Autonomous Arrangement
By Tibet Justice Center (Eva Herzer). Published by: Tibetan Parliamentary & Policy Research Centre. New Delhi, India, 2002.
Appendix: A
Strasbourg Proposal
On June 15, 1988, His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented a proposal for the future of Tibet to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which if implemented, would provide substantial autonomy for Tibet. The proposal would provide autonomy to all of Tibet, not just the TAR, and would allow Tibetans control over all governmental powers, except defense and some aspects of foreign affairs. The proposal reads in part:
" .......The whole of Tibet known as Cholka-Sum (U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo) should become a self-governing democratic political entity founded on law by agreement of the people for the common good and the protection of themselves and their environment, in association with the People's Republic of China.
The Government of the People's Republic of China could remain responsible for Tibet's foreign policy. The Government of Tibet should, however, develop and maintain relations, through its own Foreign Affairs Bureau, in the fields of religion, commerce, education, culture, tourism, science, sports and other non-political activities. Tibet should join international organizations concerned with such activities.
The Government of Tibet should be founded on a constitution of basic law. The basic law should provide for a democratic system of government entrusted with the task of ensuring economic equality, social justice and protection of the environment. This means that the Government of Tibet will have the right to decide on all affairs relating to Tibet and the Tibetans.
As individual freedom is the real source and potential of any society's development, the Government of Tibet would seek to ensure this freedom by full adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the rights to speech, assembly and religion. Because religion constitutes the source of the Tibetan national identity, and the spiritual values lie at the heart of the Tibetan culture, it would be the special duty of the Government of Tibet to safeguard and develop its practice.
The Government would be comprised of a popularly elected Chief Executive, a bi-cameral legislative branch, and an independent judicial system. Its seat should be Lhasa.
The social and economic systems of Tibet should be determined in accordance with the wishes of the Tibetan people, bearing in mind especially the need to raise the standard of living of the entire population.
The Government of Tibet would pass strict laws to protect wildlife and plant life. The exploitation of natural resources would be carefully regulated. The manufacture, testing and stockpiling of nuclear weapons and other armaments must be prohibited, as well as the use of nuclear power and other technologies which produce hazardous waste. It would be the Government of Tibet's goal to transform Tibet into our planet's largest natural preserve. A regional peace conference should be called to ensure that Tibet becomes a genuine sanctuary of peace through demilitarization. Until such a peace conference can be convened and demilitarization and neutralization achieved, China could have the right to maintain a restricted number of military installations in Tibet. These must be solely for defense purposes...."
Appendix: B
Glossary of Autonomous Arrangements
The following is a short glossary of autonomous arrangements referred to in the text of this publication. For a detailed study of each of these arrangements please, see Forms of Autonomy (700 pages), published by the Lawyers for Tibet. Selected abbreviated case studies can also be found in Appendix D.
Aland islandsS (Finland)
The Aland Islands, previously under Swedish and then Russian control, became
a part of Finland in 1917. The Aland Islanders are Swedish speaking. Under
the Autonomy Act of 1991, Finland granted the Aland Islanders substantial
autonomy in matters relating to their economy, natural resources, cultural
affairs, education and health care services. The Islands benefit from
significant financial assistance from Finland. The Islands enjoy a
demilitarized status which is guaranteed by Sweden and Russia.
Andorra (Spain and France)
For the past 700 years, Andorra, which is located between France and Spain,
has been jointly ruled by Spain and France. Since 1993, it is an
independent nation and is a member of the United Nations. However, the
ceremonial heads of state are still the co-princes, the president of France
and the Spanish co-prince. While Andorra controls most of its own affairs,
defense is delegated to Spain and France.
Basque Country (Spain)
The Basque people are one of the oldest people of Europe. In 1979, the
Basque Country became an autonomous region of Spain, which grants the Basque
people a significant level of autonomy. For example, they control their own
economy, taxation and police. A strong independence movement continues to
fight for full independence of the Basque Country.
Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bangladesh)
The people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are of Sino-Tibetan descent and are
predominantly Buddhist, in contrast to the majority population in
Bangladesh, which is Muslim. In 1991, a peace accord between the Chittagong
Hill Tracts people and Bangladesh sought to end several decades of armed
conflict by granting limited autonomy to the Chittagong Hill Tracts people.
The implementation of the peace accord remains problematic.
Cook Islands (New Zealand)
The Cook Islands in the South Pacific govern themselves in most respects but
have an autonomous arrangement with the economically stronger state of New
Zealand. They share foreign affairs powers, while New Zealand controls
defense. The Cook Islands receive substantial financial assistance from New
Zealand. Under the current arrangement, which was agreed to in 1965, the
Cook Islanders have the right to unilaterally declare their independence.
Faroe Islands (Denmark)
The Faroe Islands are located in the North Atlantic between Iceland and
Norway. They have been part of Denmark for approximately 700 years. Under
the 1948 Home Rule Act of Denmark, the Faroese were assigned responsibility
for most of their own internal governmental affairs. Though they have
extensive control over many governmental functions, the Faroese have chosen
to jointly control a number of matters with Denmark to take advantage of its
technical and financial resources.
Gibraltar (United Kingdom)
Gibraltar is strategically located at the southern tip of Spain, facing
Africa. Although it was controlled by Spain for centuries, it became a
British colony in 1830. The status of Gibraltar has been a subject of
dispute between the United Kingdom and Spain ever since. In a referendum in
the 1960s, the people chose to be a dependent territory of the United
Kingdom, rather than associate with Spain. The resulting constitution of
Gibraltar gives the people of Gibraltar extensive control over their own
economy, judicial system and social services. While defense and most
foreign affairs powers are in the hands of the United Kingdom, Gibraltar
recently joined the European Community.
Greenland (Denmark)
Greenland, with over 2 million square kilometers of land, is the largest
island in the world, located northeast of Canada. It has been under Danish
control for most of the last 900 years. Under the Greenland Home Rule Act
of 1979, Greenland enjoys its own government with substantial self-rule.
Holy See (Italy)
The Holy See is the sovereign entity of the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican
City, less than .44 square kilometers large and located in the middle of
Rome, is the territorial entity of the Holy See. Despite its miniature
seize, the Holy See has observer status at the United Nations. It wields
much political power through its large Roman Catholic constituency all over
the world. Governmental powers are divided between Italy and the Holy See.
Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong has been a part of China since ancient times. Between 1840 and
1997, it was under British control. Pursuant to the 1984 Sino-British Joint
Declaration, China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997 through an
autonomous arrangement modeled on the principle of "one country, two
systems". Hong Kong enjoys substantial self-rule, controls most aspects of
its economy and participates in foreign affairs.
Liechtenstein (Switzerland)
Liechtenstein, located next to Switzerland, is a independent monarchy, which
has maintained an associated statehood relationship with Switzerland since
1923. It is a small but economically vital country, which profits from its
association with the larger state of Switzerland. Switzerland conducts
Liechtenstein's routine diplomatic affairs. Liechtenstein uses the Swiss
currency and the two countries maintain uniform customs, border and
immigration policies.
Federated Sates of Micronesia (USA)
The Federated States of Micronesia (Micronesia) consists of a group of
island states in the North Pacific. The US administered Micronesia as UN
strategic trust territory from 1947 until 1986, at which time Micronesia
become an independent state, associated with the United States. This
association allows Micronesia self-rule over most matters and guarantees
ample US subsidies for the Micronesian economy and social service system.
The US controls matters of defense.
Navajo (USA)
The Navajo Nation is the second largest Native American nation in the United
States. The Navajo Nation has limited self-rule over purely local and
cultural matters. The Navajo control who may enter their territory. They
control their local economy and natural resources. Tribal courts administer
justice on internal tribal issues only. All other governmental powers rest
with the USA.
Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)
Northern Ireland is the northern part of an island west of England. The
United Kingdom of Great Britain united England and Ireland in 1801. In
1921, the southern part of the island of Ireland became an independent
state, the Republic of Ireland, with a mostly Catholic population. Northern
Ireland remained a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Conflict
arose between the Protestant majority and the Catholic minority in Northern
Ireland, which lead to violence and a separatist movement on the part of the
Catholic minority, commencing in 1968. This in turn lead to direct British
rule over Northern Ireland in 1972. Currently, all parties concerned are
trying to implement the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, mediated by the
United States, under which new bodies was created for the self-rule of
Northern Ireland.
Nunavut (Canada)
The Inuit, an Eskimo people, inhabit the arctic region of northeastern
Canada. After 20 years of negotiation, the Inuit people and Canada entered
into the 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Act, which creates an Inuit homeland, or
"Nunavut", with some self-rule for the Inuit people.
While most major governmental powers are controlled by the federal Canadian
government, the Inuit control entry into their territory and their own court
system. Natural resources are administered by a joint body of federal and
Nunavut appointed commissioners.
Palestine (Israel)
Palestine comprises two Arab areas, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,
occupied by Israel since the war of 1967. Following the occupation, the
Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was created, which today enjoys UN
observer status. The PLO is recognized by over 100 countries as the
legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In 1993, after much
violence, Israel and the PLO signed the Interim Agreement which provides for
Palestinian self-governance. The conflict over its implementation and the
future status of Palestine continues to date, despite much international
mediation.
Puerto Rico (USA)
Puerto Rico is a small island in the Carribean Sea, south of the United
States. It was colonized first by Spain and later by the United States.
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, or a freely associated state with the United
States. Puerto Ricans hold US citizenship but have no voting rights in the
USA. They govern most of their internal affairs, while matters such as
foreign affairs, defense, customs and some economic powers are controlled by
the USA.
Quebec (Canada)
Quebec, a French speaking autonomous province of Canada, comprises one
quarter of the Canadian population. Quebec was originally a French colony
and French culture and language continue to be dominant. Quebec controls
its own cultural affairs, official language, taxation, natural resources and
many aspects of its economy. The movement for independence remains very
strong and was narrowly defeated by a recent referendum.
san Marino (Italy)
San Marino is very small independent state, located in Italy. Its
independence dates back to the year 301. In 1862, Italy and San Marino
entered into the Convention of Friendship and Peaceful Coexistence. San
Marino controls its own affairs but has a postal, customs and currency union
with Italy. San Marino, however, issues its own stamps, which, because of
their small circulation, are highly valued by collectors and constitute one
of San Marino's main sources of income.
Scotland (United Kingdom)
Scotland, located to the north of England, is a part of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain. It enjoys substantial self-rule as a result of a recent
referendum. It issues its own currency, which is linked in value to the
British pound. It controls most issues of taxation and has the power to
control some of its natural resources and some aspects of its economy. A
Scottish nationalist movement hopes to create an independent Scotland to be
supported by its oil resources in the North Sea.
South Tyrol (Italy)
South Tyrol is the northernmost province of Italy, which historically was
part of the German speaking Habsburg Empire. It became a part of Italy in
1919. The majority of South Tyroleans are still German speaking. Pursuant
to the 1972 Autonomy Statute, South Tyrol enjoys substantial autonomy over
matters of culture, education, language, and health and social services. It
has control over some of its natural resources, some aspects of law and
order and administration of justice.
Tatarstan (Russian Federation)
Tatarstan is an independent state in the eastern part of the former Soviet
Union. It is a member of the Russian Federation. In 1994, Tatarstan was
able to negotiate a bi-lateral treaty with the Federation under which
Tatarstan enjoys more autonomy than the other members of the Federation.
The constitution of Tatarstan expressly rejects violence and war as a means
of settling disputes among states. Interestingly, Tatarstan's political
strength is, in large part, the result of its strong economy, which includes
extensive production of military equipment for the Russian Federation.
Tibet Autonomous Region (China)
Tibet has been under Chinese control since China's invasion in 1949/50. The
TAR was created in 1965. The TAR government holds very few governmental
powers. Most matters are controlled by the central government of China.
Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (China)
Xinjiang, formerly East Turkestan, came under Chinese control in 1948. The
major population groups are Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kirghiz and Uzbecs. Xinjiang
is of major importance to China because of its border with the former Soviet
Union and because of its natural resources, including substantial oil
reserves. Most governmental powers are held by central government of China.
Zanzibar (Tanzania)
Zanzibar consists of a number of Islands off the coast of Eastern Africa.
In 1963, Zanzibar and Tanganyika united to form the United Republic of
Tanganyika and Zanzibar, known as Tanzania. Zanzibar retains some degree of
control over its own affairs within this arrangement. It collects taxes
within its territory and controls its own economy, natural resources,
transportation, education and health services.
APPENDIX C: Map of Autonomous Arrangements
APPENDIX D: Selected Case Studies
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