The right to self-determination refers to an individual's ability to

control his own future. People have the right to choose their own
political position as well as their own economic, cultural, and social
growth. The exercise of this right can lead to a number of results,
including political independence and full absorption into a state. The
importance of the right resides in people's ability to choose. In
practice, however, governments' attitudes on a person's or nation's
actual claim are often determined by the likely outcome of the
exercise of self-determination. Nonetheless, international law
recognizes the right to self-determination as a process right that
belongs to individuals rather than nations or governments.
The notion of self-determination is explained in Article I of the
United Nations Charter. The notion was initially codified in the
Atlantic Charter of 1941 and the Dumbarton Oaks proposals, which
later became the United Nations Charter. Its inclusion in the United
Nations Charter demonstrates that the principle of self-
determination is universally recognized as essential to the
continuation of amicable relations and peace among nations. It is a
right recognized in the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and
Cultural Rights, both of which came into force in 1976. Every person
has the right to self-determination, according to paragraph 1 of this
Article.
When a person realizes his or her right to self-determination, he or
she can either:
 creates a sovereign and self-governing state;
 associates freely with another state; or
 have willingly merged with another state after expressing their
desire.
The Declaration of Friendly Relations confirmed the definition of self-
determination realization.