right to self-determination
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right to self-determination
The right, established in international law, of a people to freely decide its political status, form of government, and economic, social, and cultural development.
Das Selbstbestimmungsrecht der Völker ist ein zentraler Grundsatz der Vereinten Nationen.
The right of peoples to self-determination is a central principle of the United Nations.
right to self-determination
The right of an individual to decide freely and without external coercion about their own personal matters, especially about their own body and medical treatment.
Die Patientin berief sich bei der Ablehnung der Operation auf ihr Selbstbestimmungsrecht.
The patient invoked her right to self-determination when refusing the operation.
This word is a clear example of a German compound. It is made up of 'Selbst-' (self), 'Bestimmung' (determination), and 'Recht' (right/law). The meaning is therefore literally 'das Recht zur Selbstbestimmung' (the right to self-determination).
Jedes Individuum hat ein Recht auf persönliche Selbstbestimmung.
Every individual has a right to personal self-determination.
Pay attention to the context in order to understand the meaning. If it is about politics, states, or peoples, international law is meant. If it is about an individual person, medicine, or personal decisions, the individual right is meant.
Die Unabhängigkeitsbewegung beruft sich auf das Selbstbestimmungsrecht der Völker.
The independence movement invokes the right of peoples to self-determination.
In a political context, 'das Selbstbestimmungsrecht' (the right to self-determination) is often used with certain verbs. Typical formulations are to 'einfordern' (demand/claim) the right, to 'gewähren' (grant) it, to 'verletzen' (violate) it, or to 'anerkennen' (recognize) it.
Viele ehemalige Kolonien haben ihr Selbstbestimmungsrecht eingefordert.
Many former colonies demanded their right to self-determination.
In a personal context, the phrase 'sich auf sein Selbstbestimmungsrecht berufen' (to invoke one's right to self-determination) is often used. This means that a person actively uses this right to justify a decision.
Sie wollte die Behandlung nicht und berief sich auf ihr Selbstbestimmungsrecht.
She did not want the treatment and invoked her right to self-determination.
sovereignty / composure
Souveränität refers to a state's actual independence and supreme authority. Selbstbestimmungsrecht, by contrast, is a people's claim to decide freely on its political status and development. This right can therefore exist before an independent sovereign state is established.
Vor der Staatsgründung forderte das Volk sein Selbstbestimmungsrecht.
Before the state was founded, the people demanded their right to self-determination.
Nach der Staatsgründung erlangte das Land seine Souveränität.
The country gained sovereignty after the state was founded.
