The right to self-determination - a case study of the Saami in Sweden.

• Main Author: Welam, Emilie
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Lunds universitet/Juridiska institutionen 2002
• Subjects: Law and Political Science; saami
• Online Access: http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/1562908

This thesis concerns the conditions of the Saami people of Sweden with respect to their self-determination and self-government. The first part of this study is comprised of theories relating to inherent human rights and the right of peoples to self-determination/self-government. Thereafter, an account is made of the treaties and mechanisms on the rights of indigenous peoples, with a particular focus on the right to self-determination or self-government. Moreover, a brief account is made for the historical development of the conditions of the Saami people, before continuing on to studying the Saami parliament, and Swedish legislation and policy relating to the same. The thesis concludes that the Swedish Saami Parliament does not meet the requirements under international law, ratified by Sweden, on a governing body for an indigenous people. The people in question have a right to truly take part in decision-making on matters concerning their fields of interest. The Swedish Saami parliament does not live up to these demands, which is partly due to its ''double character'', being both an elected body as well as a state agency, and partly due to the limited mandate it has been given by the Swedish government. Therefore, the parliament functions neither as decision-making body nor as a channel for the voice of the Saami people.