--- title: "VIII.D. Right to Self-Determination" description: "Our global network of contributors to the [*AI & Human Rights Index*](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/) is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the [editorial…" url: "https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/viii-d-determination/" updated: "2025-04-17" category: "• Introduction / VIII. Human Agency & Expression" --- # VIII.D. Right to Self-Determination Our global network of contributors to the [*AI & Human Rights Index*](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/) is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the [editorial workflow](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/). Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you. --- [Insert statement of urgency and significance for why this right relates to AI, including digital [Self-determination](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/self-determination/).] # **Sectors** The contributors of the *AI & Human Rights Index* have identified the following sectors as responsible for both using AI to protect and advance this human right. - [ART: Arts and Culture](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/art/) - [COM: Media and Communication](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/com/) - [FIN: Financial Services](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/fin/) - [REG: Regulatory and Oversight Bodies](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/reg/) - [WORK: Employment and Labor](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/work-employment-and-labor/) # AI’s Potential Violations [Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could violate this human right.] # AI’s Potential Benefits [Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could advance this human right.] # Human Rights Instruments ## United Nations Charter (1945) 1 U.N.T.S. XVI, [U.N. Charter](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/charter/) (June 26, 1945) Preamble > to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and > > > > to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the [Dignity](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/dignity/) and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and > > > > to establish conditions under which [Justice](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/justice/) and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and > > > > to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/), > > > > to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and > > > > to unite our strength to maintain international peace and [Security](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/security/), and > > > > to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and > > > > to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, Chapter 1, Article 1 > 2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and [Self-determination](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/self-determination/) of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace; ## International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) G.A. Res. 2200A (XXI),[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ARES2200-A-XXI-ICCPR.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171 (Dec. 16, 1966) Article 1 > 1. All peoples have the right of [Self-determination](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/self-determination/). By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. > > > > 2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence. > > > > 3. The States Parties to the present Covenant, including those having responsibility for the administration of Non-Self-Governing and [Trust](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/trust/) Territories, shall promote the realization of the right of [Self-determination](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/self-determination/), and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. ## United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) G.A. Res. 61/295, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ARES61295-1.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/RES/61/295 (Sept. 13, 2007) Article 3 > Indigenous peoples have the right to [Self-determination](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/self-determination/). By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. [1.0 Research](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [2.0 Curate](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [3.0 Review](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [4.0 Revise](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [5.0 Published](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) **Last Updated:**  April 17, 2025 **Research Assistant:**  Aarianna Aughtry **Contributor:**  To Be Determined **Reviewer:**  To Be Determined **Editor:**  Alexander Kriebitz **Subject:**  Human Right **Edition:**  Edition 1.0 Research **Recommended Citation:**  "VIII.D. Right to Self-Determination, Edition 1.0 Research." In *[AI & Human Rights Index](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index)*, edited by Nathan C. Walker, Dirk Brand, Caitlin Corrigan, Georgina Curto Rex, Alexander Kriebitz, John Maldonado, Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Tanya de Villiers-Botha, and Hisham Zawil. New York: All Tech is Human; Camden, NJ: AI Ethics Lab at Rutgers University, 2026. Accessed October 22, 2026. [https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/viii-d-determination/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/viii-d-determination/).