This is a list of historical separatist movements in Asia. Separatism includes autonomism and secessionism.
Criteria What is and is not considered an autonomist or secessionist movement is sometimes contentious. Entries on this list must meet three criteria:
They are no longer an active movement with active members. They are demanded greater autonomy or self-determination for a geographic region (as opposed to personal autonomy). They were citizens/people of the conflict area and did not come from another country.
Under each region listed is one or more of the following:
De facto state (de facto entity): for unrecognized regions with de facto autonomy. Proposed state: proposed name for a seceding sovereign state. Proposed autonomous area: for movements towards greater autonomy for an area but not outright secession. De facto autonomous government: for governments with de facto autonomous control over a region. Government-in-exile: for a government based outside of the region in question, with or without control. Political party (or parties): for political parties involved in a political system to push for autonomy or secession. Militant organisation(s): for armed organisations. Advocacy group(s): for non-belligerent, non-politically participatory entities. Ethnic/ethno-religious/racial/regional/religious group(s).
List
Azerbaijan People: Armenian people Political party: Government of Artsakh Proposed de facto state: Status: Inactive following Azerbaijan's siege, military conquest, and the subsequent expulsion of the entire Armenian population. Bangladesh
People: Jumma people Political party: Porbotto Chottogram Jonshonghoti Shomiti Rebel organisation: Shanti Bahini Proposed state: Autonomous Hill Tribes Status: Inactive following the 1996 peace treaty between the Government of Bangladesh and the tribal leaders. People: Bengali Hindus Political party: Swadhin Bangabhumi Andolan Rebel organisation: Banga Sena Proposed State: Bangabhumi
China Mainland China
De facto state: Political party: Chinese Communist Party Armed organization: Chinese Red Army Proposed state: Political party: Chinese Communist Party
Outer Mongolia
De facto state: Great Mongolian State Political organization: Bogd Khanate Proposed state: Mongolian People's Republic Political party: Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
Cyprus
Rebel organizations: EOKA, Turkish Resistance Organisation
France (associated territories) Indochina
Proposed state: Kingdom of Cambodia Political organization: Khmer Issarak Proposed state: Laos Militant organization: Lao Issara, Pathet Lao Proposed state: State of Vietnam Political organization: Viet Quoc
Mandate of Syria
Political organization: National Bloc
India People: Sikh Militant organisation: Khalistan Liberation Force, Babbar Khalsa, Khalistan Commando Force Proposed state: Khalistan Status: Armed insurgency crushed People: Tripuri Militant organisation: National Liberation Front of Tripura, All Tripura Tiger Force Proposed state: Tipperaland Status: Separatist movement crushed. Separatist groups disbanded, surrender agreement signed with government. People: Garo, Khasi Militant organisation: Garo National Liberation Army, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council Proposed state: Garoland, Hynniewtrep Status: Separatist movement crushed People: Bodo Militant organisation: National Democratic Front of Boroland Proposed state: Boroland Status: Separatist groups disbanded, surrender agreement signed with government. People: Karbi Militant organisation: Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front, United People's Democratic Solidarity Proposed state: Hemprek Kangthim Status: Separatist movement crushed. Groups disbanded, surrender agreement signed with government. People: Dimasa Militant organisation: Dima Halam Daogah Proposed state: Dimaraji Status: Separatist movement crushed. Groups disbanded, surrender agreement signed with government. People: Tani Militant organisation: National Liberation Council of Taniland Proposed state: Taniland Status: Separatist movement crushed People: Mizo Militant organisation: Mizo National Front Proposed state: Mizoram Sawrkar Status: Separatist movement crushed, peace accord signed with government.
Indonesia Aceh
Proposed state: Aceh Militant organization: Free Aceh Movement
Iran Kurdistan
Proposed state: Republic of Mahabad Militant organization: Democratic Party of Kurdistan
Iranian Azerbaijan
Proposed state: Azerbaijan People's Government Militant organization: Azerbaijani Democratic Party
Khorasan
Proposed state: Autonomous Government of Khorasan Militant organization: National Committee of Khorasan(Komitey-e Melli-e Khorasan)
Israel/Palestine Samaritans in Nablus Governorate, West Bank
Proposed state: Mount Gerizim
Timor
Proposed state: Political party: Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor
Japan Ezo
De facto state: Republic of Ezo
Maldives Suvadives
Proposed state: United Suvadive Republic
Netherlands (associated territories) Dutch East Indies
Proposed state: Republic of Indonesia
Oman Dhofar
Militant organizations: Dhofar Liberation Front (DLF), Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO), Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf/Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman and the Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG)
Pakistan East Pakistan
People: Bengalis (East Pakistanis) Political party: All-Pakistan Awami League Rebel organization: Mukti Bahini ''De facto'' state: People's Republic of Bangladesh Status: Resulted in independence of Bangladesh in 1971 after the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Philippines Bangsamoro (Mindanao, Sulu Islands, and Palawan)
Proposed state: Bangsamoro Republik Political organization: Moro National Liberation Front Militant organization: Bangsamoro Armed Forces Proposed state: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (originally for independence) Political organization: Moro Islamic Liberation Front Militant organization: Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces
Proposed state: Federal Republic of Mindanao Militant organization: Mindanao People's Democratic Movement Advocacy group: Mindanao Independence Movement, Mindanao Freedom Movement
Saudi Arabia Hejaz
Proposed state: Kingdom of Hejaz (restoration of historical kingdom) Political organization: Committee for the Liberation of Arabia
Spain (associated territories) Spanish East Indies
Philippine archipelago Secessionist entities: Katagalugan, Republic of the Philippines, Cantonal Republic of Negros, Republic of Zamboanga Militant organization: Katipunan Society: La Liga Filipina Ilocos Secessionist state: Free Ilocos
Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Tamil people
Proposed state: Tamil Eelam Political party: Tamil National Alliance Militant organisation: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Advocacy groups: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, Global Tamil Forum Government in exile: Transnational Government of Tamil EelamPeacehalle.com
Syria Syrian Druze
Proposed state: Jabal Druze State Rebel organization: Jaysh al-Muwahhideen
Turkey
Political party: Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar Party): all part of the Armenian national movement. Rebel organization: Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia Status: Inactive following Turkey's genocide in Western Armenia and the region's annexation following the Turkish invasion of Armenia. The territory of Western Armenia was surrendered to Turkey during the Treaty of Alexandropol.
United Kingdom (associated territories) Burma
Political organization: Dobama Asiayone Militant organization: Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League, Burma Independence Army, Communist Party of Burma
India
Proposed state: Political party: All India Forward Bloc, Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Swaraj Party, Ghadar Party Parallel government: Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind Rebel organization: Indian National Army
Malaya
Proposed state: Federation of Malaya Political party: Alliance Party (United Malays National Organisation, Malayan Chinese Association, and Malayan Indian Congress)
Penang
Ethnic groups: Penangites, Penangite Chinese Proposed state: Penang Organization: Penang Chamber of Commerce, Penang Straits Chinese British Association, Penang Chinese Town Hall, Penang Chamber of Commerce, Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce, Settlement of Penang Association, Penang Eurasian Association, Penang Muslim Chamber of Commerce
United States (associated territories) Commonwealth of the Philippines
Political party: Nacionalista Party Proposed state: Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao
Ethnic group: Maranao Proposed state: Separate independence for Mindanao from the Luzon and Visayas regions. (See Dansalan Declaration)
See also List of historical unrecognized states and dependencies List of active separatist movements recognized by intergovernmental organizations
References