Lack of political independence

Denial of right to a people to determine their own political status
National political dependence

Nature

The essential characteristics of political independence for large ethnic, linguistic or other groups with separatist tendencies are the rights to self-determination and the necessary political representation and leadership. Political independence may be denied an entire nation dominated by a great power; it also may be denied to internal territories and to colonized lands. Internally, political representation of minorities may be disallowed or frustrated. Denial of the right to be represented in legislative bodies constitutes repression and abrogates human rights.

Incidence

Total lack of political independence occurs in countries which are occupied by foreign military forces or where earlier conquest has placed native peoples on an inferior level. Despite their large numbers in a country, refugees and migrants may also have no voice.

Claim

Some states, while technically sovereign, are so dominated by others that they have little political will of their own. The colonial system persists. Colonial peoples are far removed from the seat of sovereign power, are under-represented and do not receive full and equal benefits of citizenship. For these reasons they may seek, and be denied, political independence.