Page:John Reed - Ten Days that Shook the World - 1919, Boni and Liveright.djvu/314

 CHAPTER XI

THE CONQUEST OF POWER

DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA

… The first Congress of Soviets, in June of this year, proclaimed the right of the peoples of Russia to self-determination.

The second Congress of Soviets, in November last, confirmed this inalienable right of the peoples of Russia more decisively and definitely.

Executing the will of these Congresses, the Council of People’s Commissars has resolved to establish as a basis for its activity in the question of Nationalities, the following principles:

(1) The equality and sovereignty of the peoples of Russia.

(2) The right of the peoples of Russia to free self-determination, even to the point of separation and the formation of an independent state.

(3) The abolition of any and all national and national-religious privileges and disabilities.

(4) The free development of national minorities and ethnographic groups inhabiting the territory of Russia.

Decrees will be prepared immediately upon the formation of a Commission on Nationalities.

In the name of the Russian Republic, People’s Commissar for Nationalities - President of the Council of People’s Commissars . 

The Central Rada at Kiev immediately declared Ukraine an independent Republic, as did the Government of Finland,

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