ALEX Salmond is set to speak at the World Forum in Berlin on the right of self-determination and United Nations (UN) reform.
The former first minister will be contributing at the Allianz Forum near the Brandenburg Gate alongside Pope Francis and Hilary Clinton as well as Live Aid founder Bob Geldof.
UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon and Ukrainian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk are also set to make speeches.
The event on Sunday and Monday will aim to promote the renewal of democracy and freedom at a time when both are under threat.
Salmond is expected to say the key boundary between “legitimate self-determination” and “separatism” lies in the means employed rather than ends pursued.
READ MORE: Richard Walker: Labour will be better than Tories, but still no good for Scotland
He will argue that all movements for independence and self-determination benefit from a “resolute pursuit of peaceful campaigns” and the United Nations and other international institutions should be more responsive to those who choose the path of peaceful persuasion, particularly in the face of state obstruction or oppression.
Salmond is expected to say: “The principle and international legal base of people’s right to self-determination is enshrined in resolutions of the United Nations General Council and is a cardinal and binding principle of international law.
“In societies with access to the ballot box, there can be no possible defence of a resort to violence. Peaceful agitation with the aim of expressing a mandate of popular will is always the best, indeed the only, legitimate way forward.
“Equally, the international community needs to be far more alert to illegal state action against distinct communities asserting their rights. Access through the United Nations to international arbitration should be facilitated as a path of encouragement not a route of last resort.
“If a century ago, Mahatma Gandhi could face down the most powerful Empire on earth with a programme of civil disobedience, then his modern day successors have no acceptable excuse or pretext for employing violence.
READ MORE: BBC Question Time: Audience member confronts columnist on Gaza stance
“But the international community also has obligations to reform the only organisation capable of upholding the rule of international law - the United Nations.
“Too often the path of violence is seen as some sort of proxy for the seriousness of intent of a cause. The reverse should be the case.
“Thus movements who rely on democratic expression, or where that is not possible, civil disobedience and passive resistance, are the ones which should be accorded respect and their route forward actively encouraged and facilitated.”
Salmond will add if the UN is to remain our “best hope” of restoring a world order based on the rule of law, “then it must have a structure and support base capable of enforcing and upholding it.”
On Saturday, Salmond is also set to appear at a “day of action” as part of his Alba Party’s Save Grangemouth campaign.
It was announced in November that Scotland’s only oil refinery, located just outside Falkirk, would close in 2025 with owners Petroineos blaming shrinking profit margins.
Alba depute leader Kenny MacAskill will launch the party’s campaign on Saturday to save the “strategic asset”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel