Histories of independence and self-determination movements
Sourced histories of independence and self-determination movements — what each sought, how their goals differ, and how their stories connect — with every claim traceable to its evidence.
Political status and decolonisation
The unresolved decolonisation of Western Sahara and the question of Sahrawi self-determination: Spain’s withdrawal, competing claims, the stalled referendum, and negotiations under UN auspices.
Independence movements
The debate over Scottish independence and self-government within the United Kingdom, from the 1707 Union to the 2014 referendum and the renewed referendum demand of 2026.
Historical independence
The historical independence process of Timor-Leste: Portuguese colonial rule, the 1975 declaration and Indonesian invasion, the UN-run consultation of 1999 and independence in 2002.
Independence movements
Québec
Quebec’s sovereignty movement and constitutional debate: two referendums on sovereignty, a Supreme Court reference, the Clarity Act and a sovereignty referendum pledge in the 2026 election.
Independence movements
کوردستان
An umbrella hub for Kurdish political projects across several states, from the Treaty of Sèvres to the present, with separate branches for each state context.
Independence movements
Kalaallit Nunaat
Greenland’s path from Danish colony to self-government, the legal route to independence in the 2009 Act, and the independence debate sharpened by US pressure in 2025–2026.
Independence movements
Bougainville’s path from secessionist politics and a civil war to a peace agreement, autonomy and the 2019 independence referendum, whose ratification by Papua New Guinea’s parliament is still pending.
The atlas keeps these apart. A case’s collection is a navigation choice, not a legal ruling.
A separate state, powers within a state, and self-governing institutions are different goals.
Explainer in preparation.
What the principle means in decolonisation, in existing states and for Indigenous peoples — and what it does not settle.
Explainer in preparation.
Why the end of colonial rule, a region leaving a state and a state dissolving are treated differently.
Explainer in preparation.
Why who governs a territory and who recognises a state can be separate questions.
Explainer in preparation.
27 August 2026
Parliament debates and adjourns without a vote; the governments are to meet in October to set a date.
August 2026
The two governments endorse the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework and fix 27 August for tabling.
9 June 2026
A sessional order requires at least 89 of 118 MPs to ratify the result; Bougainville’s leaders say the threshold was not agreed.
June 2026
The ABG’s final position to the consultations facilitator sets out a three-stage pathway; PNG’s ruling party offers a conditional 15-year transition.
Inclusion follows published rules. Classifications are dated and attributed. Every factual paragraph cites its evidence, and nothing is published without evidence review and a named editor’s approval.
8 published case hubs:
A page count is not a movement count. How we count and what is missing.