In the 20th and 21st centuries, referendum is one of the most important tools for implementing human rights and freedoms, self-determination of nations and peoples. In my article, I had done comparative legal analysis of referendums held to determine the status of territories and nations struggling for self-determination. I consider in detail the regularities and features of institutional structures and procedures of the referendum in the States’ legislation, in regulations, as well as in representative structures of struggling nations. Taking into account the contradictoriness of international law containing provisions are mutually exclusive (on the protection of territorial integrity and the right of nations to self-determination), I show throughout two centuries principles of international law, and promoted by U.S., appeared opposite to those that Russia adheres.

В статье проведен сравнительно-правовой анализ референдума как одного из важнейших инструментов реализации прав и свобод человека, самоопределения наций и народов в новейшей истории. Рассмотрены закономерности и особенности институциональной структуры и процедуры референдума в законодательстве государств, в нормативных актах представительных структур наций и народов, борющихся за самоопределение.