ISSN: XXXX-XXXX

Tibet’s Right to Self-Determination: Analysing International Law and China’s Sovereignty Claims

Abstract

The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law, enshrined in key legal instruments such as the United Nations Charter [Art 1(2)]and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [Art 1(1)]. This principle is particularly contentious in the context of Tibet, where decades of Chinese sovereignty have been met with ongoing demands for autonomy and independence by the Tibetan people. This research paper critically examines the legal arguments supporting Tibet’s right to self-determination, drawing on international legal precedents and treaties. It also explores the challenges posed by China’s sovereignty claims, which are grounded in historical, political, and territorial arguments. The paper will seek to analyze how international law balances the right to selfdetermination with the principle of territorial integrity, and whether Tibet’s case could be considered a legitimate exercise of self-determination under current international norms. By exploring these dimensions, this paper aims to contribute to the broader discourse on self-determination and minority rights in a globalized world, offering insights into one of the most complex and enduring geopolitical disputes of our time.

Keywords

globalisation independence military nationalism Self-determination United Nations.

Type:

Research Paper

Information:

International Journal of Law Management and Humanities,

Creative Commons:

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution -NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits remixing, adapting, and building upon the work for non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright:

Copyright ©AJLSR 2025

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Export Citation

Phintshok Undup Bhutia, Tibet’s Rights to Self-Determination: Analysing International Law and China’s Sovereignty Claims, 1 (1) AJLSR 110, (2025)