by Eze Eluchie
The right to
self-determination is one of the cardinal rights which define our humanity. A
people’s quality of life is inversely proportional to the quantum of this right
they enjoy. The quest to actualize the right to self-determination has led
various peoples to countless battles, wars and agitations for self
determination. As peoples of sub-Saharan Africa and others who suffered for
centuries under the yoke, of first, decimation by slave trade and then
subjugation under colonization can readily testify, when a people do not have
an effective voice over how their lives are governed, they are at a sub-human
level and would give all to regain their humanity.
Often times,
efforts at asserting the right to self-determination comes into direct conflict
with the desire of others entities entwined in the union from which freedom is
sought, who may either be benefiting from the existing union or view those
seeking self-determination as possessions over whom a some historical right to
subjugate or dominate exists.
The ability
of any people, anywhere, to eventually arrive at a point/situation when they
have an opportunity to assert their right to self-determination, and decide for
themselves whether to continue with an existing union or become independent,
ought rightly thus be a cause for universal celebration, as it strengthens the
commonality of our humanity.
It is in the
light of the foregoing that the people of Scotland must be congratulated,
irrespective of the eventual outcome of their Independence Referendum scheduled
for the 18th of September 2014, for finally arriving at this unique
opportunity to choose. As the Scotts
march out in their millions to exercise the inalienable right to
self-determination, the rest of the world will rise in unison to applaud this present effort at self-determination by a sovereign people.
Unsavory
events in the weeks leading up to the Independence Referendum has however
heightened fears that desperate measures might be adopted to scuttle the
desires of the Scottish people to freely decide for themselves how they want to
be ruled. From explicit threats by the oil majors to frustrate access of an
Independent Scotland to the vast mineral resources embedded in the North sea’s;
to scaremongering tactics adopted by sundry financial institutions particularly
the Bank of England and Royal Bank of Scotland forecasting economic doom for
any efforts by the Scottish people to opt for independence; to threats by the
subsisting British government to deny an independent Scotland access to
membership of the European Union, NATO and other multi-national organizations;
the throwing up of poll and survey ‘reports’ showing diametrically conflicting
projected results for the referendum; crowned by the last minute visits of the
highest ranking members of the British Government, inclusive of Prime Minister Cameron, to influence voting in the
referendum, provide sufficient cause for greater international independent observation and monitoring of the Scottish Independence Referendum to ensure
that the results of the Referendum are not manipulated to favor any particular sides and that it reflects the true wishes and desires of the Scottish people.
It is in light
of the foregoing that the various international organizations which usually
participate in monitoring and observing elections across the world, such as United
Nations Organization, the African Union and European Union amongst others, should as a matter of urgency, em-panel high
powered teams of eminent personalities and experts to monitor and observe the
Scottish Referendum. In the spirit of reciprocity of actions, a cardinal
principle of international relations, the various countries in Africa and
across the world where the British Government has routinely sent Observation
and Monitoring teams to gauge domestic elections should also raise delegations
to serve as Monitors and Observers to the Scottish Referendum. It sure will be
interesting to know what the findings of Referendum-Observer Missions from Zimbabwe,
Syria or China would come up with – I would have added my own country to this
list, but the rulers in Nigeria simply lack the courage to do the needful.
May the real
desires of the Scottish people manifest and be upheld via the Referendum.
Picture: British and Scottish flags.
No comments:
Post a Comment