Tulsa Journal of Comparative and International Law Volume 2 | Issue 1 Article 5 9-1-1994 Need for an Independent International Mechanism to Protect Group Rights: A Case Study of the Kurds, The Olivia Q. Goldman Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.law.utulsa.edu/tjcil Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Olivia Q. Goldman, Need for an Independent International Mechanism to Protect Group Rights: A Case Study of the Kurds, The, 2 Tulsa J. Comp. & Int'l L. 45 (1994). Available at: http://digitalcommons.law.utulsa.edu/tjcil/vol2/iss1/5 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by TU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Tulsa Journal of Comparative and International Law by an authorized administrator of TU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL MECHANISM TO PROTECT GROUP RIGHTS: A CASE STUDY OF THE KURDS Olivia Q. Goldman* Democracy within nations requires respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as set forth in the [United Nations] Charter. It requires as well a deeper understanding and respect for the rights of minorities and respect for the needs of the more vulnerable groups of society, ....This is not only a political matter. The social stability needed for productive growth is nurtured by conditions in which people can readily express their will.' I. INTRODUCTION The responsibility of states toward groups within their territory has come under increased debate within members of the international community. Despite the adoption by the United Nations of the most definitive statement to date on group rights, the repression of groups remains unabated.