RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION: EXTENDED ROLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS THROUGH THE DECOLONIZATION PROCESS

Finding solutions to self-determination issues in connection to different non-self-governing people across the world are among the major challenges for the international community. Since the commencement of the decolonization process, the international community has been playing important roles through the United Nations (U.N.) to ensure the right to self-determination of many vulnerable people. Research shows most of the international legal instruments related to self-determination have been developed in conjunction with decolonization cases and their perceived solutions. However, international communities sometimes express resentment regarding the helplessness of the U.N. in taking prompt action to resolve any self-determination issue. In connection to this point, this article examines the latest decolonization cases and attempts to explore what other legal roles the U.N. could play in resolving self-determination issues. Precisely, this article examines the gradual development of international legal instruments and extension of the U.N.'s roles through the settlement of the right to self-determination of nonself-governing people. Findings reveal that the U.N.'s roles in administering non-self-governing territories and resolving selfdetermination issues have been extended largely throughout the decolonization process.