Independence movements in Catalonia and Northern Iraq within the framework of the self-determination principle

As of the beginning of the twentieth century, the principle of self-determination, which has entered the international literature, is that peoples have the right to self-determination. Self-determination was initially used as a principle, but it has historically evolved into an international right by entering into the UN Charter and many international treaties. In this study, the definition and types of self-determination principle are examined, how it is applied in terms of international law is explained with examples and it is tried to explain which of these types of independence demands should be evaluated. The separation demands of the Catalan and Northern Iraqi Kurds were examined within the framework of conceptual, historical and cultural traces, and the main reasons for self-determination were tried to be captured. The demands of independence were evaluated in terms of human rights, cultural values, religion and language unity and tried to relate to the conditions of self-determination principle. In addition, by examining the international reflections of independence referendum held in 2017, we tried the reveal the future directions of independence demands. Keywords: Self-determination, Right to self-determination, Catalan separatism, Northern Iraqi Kurdish separatism