Catalonia and Self-Determination: An Unexpected Revolution?

Should stateless nations in Europa have a right to claim self-determination? Is the Catalonia independence referendum legitimate and binding, or unconstitutional?

The debate about the right to self-determination of stateless nations is vivid and poses a theoretical debate about what this fundamental human right entails. Is the Catalonia independence referendum legitimate and binding, or unconstitutional? Should a States right to defend its territorial integrity prevail the right of stateless nations to invoke self-determination as provided in UN Charters?

October 1st marked a turning point for the relationship between the Catalan people and the Spanish State. The Catalonia regional government, with the support of strong grassroots movements ,held a self-determination referendum. However, it was brutally crushed by the Spanish security forces. The referendum results sho
wed an astonishing victory for the ‘Yes’ vote that wants Catalan to be an independent republic. Does this referendum have legitimacy to declare independence if it is not sanctioned by Spanish authorities? What would a Sovereign Catalonia mean for other stateless nations in Europe?

Panel:
Antoni Abat (Professor of Law, University of Copenhagen),
Johannes Nymark (Associate Professor of Spanish, NHH) and
Artur Rubinat (Catalan activist, UiB/LawTransform).

Coffee and croissants will be served!

Free and open to all.