This is a list of active separatist movements in Asia. Separatism can include autonomism and secessionism, despite the fact that independence is the primary goal of many separatist movements. Many separatist movements arise as a result of religious, racial, social, and cultural disparities between certain peoples and the majority or ruling class in a country. What constitutes an autonomist or secessionist movement is often debatable; entries on this list must be recognized by credible sources as involved, separatist, and composed of citizens of the country from which independence is sought.