News archive

This report co-authored by Karl Kössler, Francesco Palermo, Jens Woelk, researchers at the Institute for Comparative Federalism of Eurac Research aims to provide insights regarding the substance of autonomy regimes worldwide with a view to identifying and illustrating options for the status of Bougainville within Papua New Guinea. The report cites considerations of geography, history and the management of ethno-cultural diversity which often prompt national governments and regions to settle on some form of autonomy as a compromise solution, as a "middle way" between a centralised unitary state and own statehood. Read more…

Philippine Congress approved a bill that outlines the process to set up the autonomous region of Bangsamoro. Bangsamoro Basic Law is the result of a 2014 peace deal between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government to end nearly 50 years of violent conflict. While Bangsamoro will have its own executive, legislature and fiscal powers, the central government will continue to oversee defense, security, foreign affairs, and monetary policy. Read more...​

Quebec Superior Court declared discriminatory and unconstitutional a long-standing ​rule of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake reserve, according to which Mohawk people who marry non-natives must leave the community. The judgment establishes limits on native autonomy. The Mohawk Council defends the so-called "Marry Out, Get Out" law as a way of safeguarding Mohawk land and culture. However, the Court held that the Mohawk Council failed to demonstrate how its membership law was helping protect the community's culture or resources, and concluded that the law violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the basis of family status and civil status. Read more...

The international seminar and expert meeting on "Asymmetry in Decentralised Systems – Balancing Regional Diversity with National Harmony" brought together scholars and practitioners from Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Philippines, South Africa and Switzerland. Our project team was represented by Sergiu Constantin (Institute for Minority Rights, Eurac Research) and Tove Malloy (European Centre for Minority Issues). The event was organized by Max Plank Foundation and Max Plank Institute (Germany), Andalas University (Indonesia) and Curtin University (Australia).

The 2018 Summer School explores the theme of "Power Sharing in Divided Societies" by examining the challenge of complex diversity, through the​oretical and empirical perspectives from Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America. In seminars and workshops led by international experts, participants will critically engage with topics including international minority protection instruments, constitutional design in divided societies, religious and cultural diversity, and borders and cross-border cooperation. The Summer School will take place in the period 9 - 20 July 2018 and the deadline for application is 30 April 2018. Scholarships are available.​ Read more...​

While visiting Corsica, president Macron offered to add a special mention of the island into the French Constitution but ruled out giving the Corsican language an official status and rejected other demands of the nationalist parties. In December 2017, a coalition of nationalist parties won 41 of the 63 seats in Corsica's regional assembly. The nationalists claim inter alia autonomy and a special status for the island in the French Constitution, official status for Corsican language alongside French and amnesty for Corsicans jailed for pro-independence violence. Read more....​