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Abstract
This profound analysis examines the complex tension between the principle of territorial integrity of states and the right to self-determination of peoples, using Bangladeshs liberation experience as a central case study. The article explores the theoretical and legal frameworks governing self-determination in international law and analyzes how the Bangladesh case challenged traditional interpretations of these principles. The research investigates the historical context of the Bangladesh liberation struggle, examining how linguistic, cultural, and political factors contributed to the demand for self-determination. The study analyzes international responses to the Bangladesh crisis, including the positions of major powers, United Nations deliberations, and regional reactions. The article assesses the impact of the Bangladesh precedent on subsequent self-determination movements and international legal norms. The research also examines how the tension between territorial integrity and self-determination continues to shape contemporary international relations and conflict resolution approaches. Furthermore, the analysis considers the implications of the Bangladesh experience for understanding the evolution of sovereignty and self-determination in the post-colonial international system.
Full Text
The Bangladesh liberation struggle represented one of the most significant challenges to conventional understandings of territorial integrity and self-determination in the post-World War II period, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of this complex relationship. The research begins by examining the theoretical foundations of self-determination in international law, tracing its evolution from Woodrow Wilsons Fourteen Points through UN Charter provisions to contemporary interpretations. The analysis explores the specific historical context of the Bangladesh case, investigating how linguistic nationalism, economic disparities, political exclusion, and cultural distinctiveness fueled the demand for self-determination in East Pakistan. The article examines the international legal arguments advanced by both Pakistan and Bangladesh during the liberation struggle, analyzing how each side invoked different principles of international law to support their positions. The study investigates the role of the international community in the Bangladesh crisis, examining how major powers, neighboring countries, and international organizations responded to the conflict between territorial integrity and self-determination claims. The research assesses the military and humanitarian dimensions of the liberation struggle, analyzing how the scale of human suffering and refugee flows influenced international perceptions and responses. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article analyzes the lasting impact of the Bangladesh precedent on international law and state practice regarding self-determination movements. The findings provide valuable insights into the evolving relationship between state sovereignty and peoples rights in the international system and contribute to understanding how exceptional cases can reshape fundamental principles of international relations.