Greenland Home Rule

Greenland Home Rule

Introduction

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this research is to analyze and understand the various aspects of Greenland Home Rule and its governance. In addition, we have analyzed Greenland Home Rule relevance to the Canada's Indigenous Land Rights.

Background of Research

Need for Home Rule

Greenland is a self-governed country of Kingdom of Denmark. It is located in between Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. It is geographically a part of North American but it follows Europe particularly Norway and Denmark in terms of culture and politics. Greenland was a Colony of Denmark till 1953 but later Denmerk amended its constitution in 1953 and as a result Greenland became part of Danish Kingdom. As the time passed, there was an increase in demand for Political and Economical freedom by Greenland. Due to which Government introduced a law of Home Rule in May 1979 as a result of a referendum, in which 63% of people voted for Home Rule (Greenland Representation to the EU, Brussels, 2009).

Significance of Home Rule

Home Rule is a part of a constitution of an Independent State in which one can practice the powers of governance in its own authorized area that are allowed by central government.After Greenland became part of Denmark, Denmark purposely tried to bring about many reforms in Greenland in order to modernize it in terms of social services, employment opportunities, health care facilities, and transportation services. On the contrary these services and modernization movement gave birth to other problems in Greenland such as housing project and unemployment. The fishers and mines collapsed in 1980s and economy badly damaged in 1990s.

Affect of Home Rule Act

Greenland has received an annual subsidy from Denmark on 3-3.5 million DKK (corresponding to about 500,000 euros) and it is not considered likely to change fundamentally in the coming years. Therefore, it will be very costly for Greenland if the politicians in Greenland decided that Greenland should become a sovereign state (Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2000). The Greenland Self-Government Act was an expanded version of Greenland Home Rule Act was effective from June 2009 (Greenland Representation to the EU, Brussels, 2009).

Discussion

Features of Greenland Home Rule Act 1979

The main agenda of Home Rule Act is to emphasize on the significance of he need of authority in Greenland and consider it as a unique community of Denmark and assures that all dealings in Greenland are conducted as per the Act. The authorities of Greenland Home rule are comprised of an assembly, which is elected by Greenland. This assembly is called as Landsting and it is led by a Landssytre.

The members of Landsting are selected for four years in general, direct, and secret elections. All the rules pertaining to elections are set by procedures of Landsting. Landsting is authorized to make the standing orders. In addition, Landsting has the authority to select a Chairman who is authorized to assign responsibilities among Landsstyre members.

All the authorities under Greenland Home Rule can practice administrative and executive powers with respect to the field of responsibility and are also ...