Position Paper
Committee: Security Council
Agenda: Nuclear Proliferation
Country: Russia
Delegate: Anirudh Mendiratta
A large part of Russian foreign policy is decided by the president in power. Russia is a member of Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and strongly believes that non-permanent members of the Security Council and other countries which are not recognized by the NPT should not make nuclear weapons. However Russia supports these countries having a civilian nuclear program. President Vladimir Putin believes that Iran should be allowed to pursue its nuclear program for peaceful purposes. Russia has previously supported 2 sanctions unanimously adopted by the Security Council against Iran for failing to suspend its Uranium Enrichment but believes that any future sanctions should not be made against Iran if it carries on a civilian nuclear program. Russia has struck a deal with Iran and will supply nuclear fuel to Iran but on the condition that it hands back the previous spent-fuel rods back to Russia so that they are not used for military Purposes.
Russia has also assisted Syria in the construction of a Nuclear Power Plant and a nuclear powered desalination plant. Nuclear power is a boon to the humankind and Russia will ensure that to whichever country it supplies its technology uses it for peaceful purposes only. Russia strongly condemns the usage of the term ‘Rogue states’ used for these countries by the United States of America.
Another field of Nuclear proliferation that Russia is concerned about is Space Weapons. Russia believes that the placing of weapons in space by the USA can trigger of a new kind of arms race where every country will be intent on placing their weapons in space which can soon reach the nuclear level and is not a direction in which the world wants to proceed.
Position Paper
Committee: Security Council
Agenda: Crisis in the Middle East
Country: Russia
Delegate: Anirudh Mendiratta
Russia wants lasting peace in the Middle East but believes that the USA does not have the right to interfere too much in the matters of the Middle East. President Vladimir Putin has reiterated that he doubts the authenticity of the trial leading to the execution of Saddam Hussein. Also Russia refuses to call Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorists as their leadership is justified through their Electoral victories in their respective countries.
Russia opposes the continued intervention of the United States in the matters of Iraq and believes the USA should pull out. Also Russia supports Iran’s nuclear program as it is for peaceful purposes.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
position papers germany
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
POSITION PAPER
Committee: Economic and Social Council
Topic: Global warming and the World Economy
Country: Germany
Delegate: Sharvi Dublish, St. Stephen’s college, Delhi
Global warming today in an undeniable reality and the fourth assessment report by the IPCC has found that, “Most of the observed increase in the temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the increase in anthropogenic GHG concentrations”. Thus, with the growing world population and the fact that the global economy and industrialization is reaching every corner of the world, the world demand for energy will only increase. Policies to make sure that these energy needs are met by more energy efficient and environmentally friendly technology are a must.
Responsibility of the problem of global warming lies primarily in the hands of the developed nations. German parliament therefore ratified the Kyoto protocol unanimously in 2002 and has reduced its GHG emission to 17% below the 1990 levels already, and plans to reduce them to 40% below the 1990 level by 2012. Germany considers it unfortunate that the US, one of the largest producers of green house gases, did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol and is unwilling to succumb to any legally binding restrictions on its GHG emissions.
Germany believes that the key to fighting global warming is investment and innovation in new environment friendly technology. Thus, the German government has invested heavily in the modernization of energy systems in buildings and plans to increase the share of renewable energies in the fuel market to 17 percent by 2020. However, the utilization of fossil fuels cannot be stopped entirely as some sectors of the economy are heavily dependent on energy produced from coal based power plants. Thus, test runs of a new technology aimed at capturing carbon-di-oxide at power plants have begun at Vattenfall as a first step towards CO2 emission free power generation based on coal.
The developing countries too have a responsibility towards curbing the effects of global warming, yet they are not equipped with the resources and/or the technology to carry out the same. Thus, it is the responsibility of the developed world to aid the developing nations through the transfer of green technology, emissions trading and clean development programs. Germany has shown its support for carbon trading, a cost effective method of reducing green house gases, by actively participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).
Germany also believes that, in view of the drastically rising oil and gas prices, investment in programs to reduce the dependence on non-renewable and CO2 emitting sources of energy will eventually pay off. The developed nations should act as a role model to the newly industrializing countries to show that, in the long run, environmentally sustainable technology will not hinder economic growth and development. This might induce them to voluntarily make substantial contributions to the effort against global warming.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
POSITION PAPER
Committee: Economic and Social Council
Topic: Labour Migration
Country: Germany
Delegate: Sharvi Dublish, St. Stephen’s college, Delhi
With an increasing aging population and low fertility rates, Germany has been dependent on immigrant population since the 1990’s to support economic development and maintain a dynamic workforce.
Initially in the 19th century, Germany was an emigrant country. However, after the division of Germany into the German Democratic Republic( East) and the Federal Republic of Germany(West) and extensive industrialization in West Germany, the country soon became a very important destination for immigrants. These immigrants can be divided into two separate groups; those of German origin and those with no German ancestors. Inflows of immigrants with non-German ancestry began in a serious way in the second half of the 1950s. In response to a Labour shortage prompted by economic recovery, Germany signed a series of bilateral recruitment agreements, first with Italy in 1955, then with Spain (1960), Greece (1960), Turkey (1961), Portugal (1964), and Yugoslavia (1968). These workers, who were recruited mainly in the industrial sector for jobs that required few qualifications, came to Germany for a period of one or two years and were then required to go back to their respective countries. This policy prevented settlement and exposed the largest possible number of workers from sending countries to the industrial work of the more developed Germany. Germany also imported workers from Poland, Czech, and several other East European countries after the German reunification. However, in the 1990’s the need for skilled labour had also arisen.
Today 8.8 percent of the German population is made up of foreign nationals. The main problem that these immigrants face is the inability to easily integrate themselves in the German cultural and economic scenario. Some reasons for this can be found in the German population itself wherein several people suffer from Xenophobia that can lead to widespread violence. Some are also related to the immigrants themselves who do not recognize women’s equality and have ideals that are quite different from those of developed Germany.
On the one hand, the government needs to reduce the barriers that the immigrants face and make integration and naturalization easier. Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that the recent Labour Immigration Law with programs that allow for better integration through education is a major milestone towards a better integrated German population. However, further steps must be taken to prevent any possible exploitation of the foreigners and to make it possible for even the poor to take advantage of programs being offered by the government. On the other hand however, the government also needs to make sure that the screening process for immigrants is well monitored in order to prevent “criminal young foreigners” from entering the country.
Another problem that the world as a whole faces is unsafe migration practices such as human trafficking. A global organization aimed at ensuring the safe migration of young men, women and children is required to prevent their exploitation under the pretence of a better future.
People leave their own countries in the hope for better living standards abroad. Their rights should be preserved and the government of Germany is trying its best to ensure that they are respected and at the same time also making sure that everything on the political, economic and social front within the country itself is in harmony.
POSITION PAPER
Committee: Economic and Social Council
Topic: Global warming and the World Economy
Country: Germany
Delegate: Sharvi Dublish, St. Stephen’s college, Delhi
Global warming today in an undeniable reality and the fourth assessment report by the IPCC has found that, “Most of the observed increase in the temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the increase in anthropogenic GHG concentrations”. Thus, with the growing world population and the fact that the global economy and industrialization is reaching every corner of the world, the world demand for energy will only increase. Policies to make sure that these energy needs are met by more energy efficient and environmentally friendly technology are a must.
Responsibility of the problem of global warming lies primarily in the hands of the developed nations. German parliament therefore ratified the Kyoto protocol unanimously in 2002 and has reduced its GHG emission to 17% below the 1990 levels already, and plans to reduce them to 40% below the 1990 level by 2012. Germany considers it unfortunate that the US, one of the largest producers of green house gases, did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol and is unwilling to succumb to any legally binding restrictions on its GHG emissions.
Germany believes that the key to fighting global warming is investment and innovation in new environment friendly technology. Thus, the German government has invested heavily in the modernization of energy systems in buildings and plans to increase the share of renewable energies in the fuel market to 17 percent by 2020. However, the utilization of fossil fuels cannot be stopped entirely as some sectors of the economy are heavily dependent on energy produced from coal based power plants. Thus, test runs of a new technology aimed at capturing carbon-di-oxide at power plants have begun at Vattenfall as a first step towards CO2 emission free power generation based on coal.
The developing countries too have a responsibility towards curbing the effects of global warming, yet they are not equipped with the resources and/or the technology to carry out the same. Thus, it is the responsibility of the developed world to aid the developing nations through the transfer of green technology, emissions trading and clean development programs. Germany has shown its support for carbon trading, a cost effective method of reducing green house gases, by actively participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).
Germany also believes that, in view of the drastically rising oil and gas prices, investment in programs to reduce the dependence on non-renewable and CO2 emitting sources of energy will eventually pay off. The developed nations should act as a role model to the newly industrializing countries to show that, in the long run, environmentally sustainable technology will not hinder economic growth and development. This might induce them to voluntarily make substantial contributions to the effort against global warming.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
POSITION PAPER
Committee: Economic and Social Council
Topic: Labour Migration
Country: Germany
Delegate: Sharvi Dublish, St. Stephen’s college, Delhi
With an increasing aging population and low fertility rates, Germany has been dependent on immigrant population since the 1990’s to support economic development and maintain a dynamic workforce.
Initially in the 19th century, Germany was an emigrant country. However, after the division of Germany into the German Democratic Republic( East) and the Federal Republic of Germany(West) and extensive industrialization in West Germany, the country soon became a very important destination for immigrants. These immigrants can be divided into two separate groups; those of German origin and those with no German ancestors. Inflows of immigrants with non-German ancestry began in a serious way in the second half of the 1950s. In response to a Labour shortage prompted by economic recovery, Germany signed a series of bilateral recruitment agreements, first with Italy in 1955, then with Spain (1960), Greece (1960), Turkey (1961), Portugal (1964), and Yugoslavia (1968). These workers, who were recruited mainly in the industrial sector for jobs that required few qualifications, came to Germany for a period of one or two years and were then required to go back to their respective countries. This policy prevented settlement and exposed the largest possible number of workers from sending countries to the industrial work of the more developed Germany. Germany also imported workers from Poland, Czech, and several other East European countries after the German reunification. However, in the 1990’s the need for skilled labour had also arisen.
Today 8.8 percent of the German population is made up of foreign nationals. The main problem that these immigrants face is the inability to easily integrate themselves in the German cultural and economic scenario. Some reasons for this can be found in the German population itself wherein several people suffer from Xenophobia that can lead to widespread violence. Some are also related to the immigrants themselves who do not recognize women’s equality and have ideals that are quite different from those of developed Germany.
On the one hand, the government needs to reduce the barriers that the immigrants face and make integration and naturalization easier. Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that the recent Labour Immigration Law with programs that allow for better integration through education is a major milestone towards a better integrated German population. However, further steps must be taken to prevent any possible exploitation of the foreigners and to make it possible for even the poor to take advantage of programs being offered by the government. On the other hand however, the government also needs to make sure that the screening process for immigrants is well monitored in order to prevent “criminal young foreigners” from entering the country.
Another problem that the world as a whole faces is unsafe migration practices such as human trafficking. A global organization aimed at ensuring the safe migration of young men, women and children is required to prevent their exploitation under the pretence of a better future.
People leave their own countries in the hope for better living standards abroad. Their rights should be preserved and the government of Germany is trying its best to ensure that they are respected and at the same time also making sure that everything on the political, economic and social front within the country itself is in harmony.
position paper syria
POSITION PAPER
Committee: Economic and Social council
Topic: Labour Migration
Country: Arabic Republic of Syria
Delegate: Arushi Chopra
No two countries are the same. They have different backgrounds, economies, political systems, cultures, geography. So how can all countries have the same set of rules dealing with migration? Syria proposes the division of countries on the basis of development and type of population for the application of the following rule.
1) Developed nations: there should be no caps on migration. This is because the economy is stable and can afford to lose some workers and create space for more coming in. these economies can work on the principle of efficiency. For eg- USA, UK, Scandinavian countries.
2) Developing nation with substantial manpower and brainpower: there should be no caps on emigration but caps on immigration these countries can afford to lose some workers due to their surplus, but can’t accommodate more people, considering scarce resources and overpopulation. These economies strive to achieve efficiency with equality. For eg- India, China
3) Developing nations with inadequate manpower and brainpower: there should be strict caps on migration. But other forms of international aid should be provided. They can’t afford the entry of more unskilled labour, skilled labour won’t be interested in coming to these countries and they can’t send their people abroad because they are required in their own countries. The priorities of these economies lie in equality. After that is achieved, these countries can lift the caps on migration. For eg- middle eastern countries, African countries.
Clearly, Syria falls in the third category.
Syria has hosted migrants and refugees of various nationalities in the past. But the ugly truth is that it’s trying to gain internal political stability first. 8% of the population (IMF statistics) in Syria constitutes refugees. The direct consequences are, public services are deteriorating, state-run hospitals, inundated by tens of thousands of Iraqis seeking free medical care, are short on staff and medical supplies. At public schools across Damascus, overwhelmed teachers are forced to work double shifts to accommodate Iraqis pushing class sizes to as high as 70 students. Meanwhile, power blackouts blanket the city for up to five hours a day because the country's electrical grid can't meet increasing energy demands during one of the warmest summers on record. Evidently, the Syrian economy doesn't have the resources to sustain current subsidies for food and energy. Keeping in mind the strategy suggested above, Syria plans to introduce a cap (to 5000 refugees a day) on the number of refugees who can enter. It also would like to float the idea of a ‘middle-east refugee rehabilitation treaty’ (MRRT), wherein other countries, apart from Syria can step forward and provide shelter to refugees.
Syria boasts of a literacy rate of about 80%, but still doesn’t feature on the list of developed nations. Syria believes that this is because most of the skilled labour migrates to other parts of the world, thus leading to severe brain drain. Education in Syria is highly subsidised, and the beneficiaries are clearly the host countries of these migrants. Thus Syria would like to strengthen its norms of emigration. Syria intends to get all students who pass out after gaining higher education to sign a bond to work for at least 8 years in Syria even if they wish to leave. Thus, Syria wants to impose restrictions on emigration of skilled workers. In light of the suggestions made above, Syria urges the international community to step forward and support Syria financially and by setting up more institutions of higher learning. (As Germany is doing). Syria also hopes to receive foreign investment to boost economic development and create job opportunity.
Syria also faces the problem of illegal immigration of young girls to work as house maids through illegitimate recruitment agencies. The Syrian government is deeply disturbed by this movement and intends to legalise and register these recruitment agencies so that this movement can be monitored and Human Rights’ violation can be checked.
Syria sincerely hopes that its country-specific recommendations are taken into consideration for the establishment of a new labour migration system in the world.
POSITION PAPER
Committee: Economic and Social council
Topic: Global warming and the economy
Country: Syrian Arab Republic
Delegate: Arushi Chopra
Syria is sensitive to the issue of Global Warming, and the Syrian Cabinet has signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Syria feels that the developed countries that have overcome the basic problems of food, clothing and shelter should take up the responsibility of saving mankind from Global Warming, as a) they have made a greater contribution to the problem and b) they are better equipped to deal with it. Syria recognizes the fact that developing nations too, should monitor their emission levels and not exploit Mother Nature, so Syria is willing to cooperate with the international community. Though, due to its internal problems, Syria would seek international aid in the form of funds and technology to take any action.
Syria faces severe economic consequences of Global warming. River Euphrates, which is a major source of drinking water and irrigation, may dry up due to the brutal Syrian sun. As more than one fourth of the Syrian population relies on agriculture as its livelihood, this might come as a major blow to them. Also, the food security of Syria can be threatened by the same. Further, Syria, being an oil rich country has several pipelines running through it. Frequent temperature fluctuations can cause catastrophic pipeline bursts. Syria, due to its location is already dealing with frequent heat waves. For example, a heat wave in July, 2007 caused a bomb to explode in the city of Aleppo, killing 15 and injuring many. Recently, the temperature in Syria hit a staggering 50 degree Celsius.
To deal with the problem of global warming, Syria has undertaken a National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) for sustainable development. It seeks to check deforestation, monitor carbon emission and conserve natural resources. Syria also hopes to increase its forest cover from 5% to 15%. Syria’s current green house gas emission is 68,420 thousand metric tones, which constitutes .03% of the global emissions. Being an Annexure II member of the Kyoto Protocol, Syria intends to monitor them. Syria also sees itself getting into Carbon trading. Syrian firms see the Carbon market booming and endeavor to associate with it soon. Syria, in collaboration with UNDP has already started looking for alternatives to non renewable and polluting sources of energy in the form of nuclear power generation. Wind energy and hydroelectricity are also in the pipeline.
In his recent speech addressed to the people of Syria, President Bashar al-Assad said “The Greenhouse effect is a global problem. All countries in the world should tackle it in unison”. Thus, Syria hopes to join hands with the rest of the world to mitigate global warming.
Committee: Economic and Social council
Topic: Labour Migration
Country: Arabic Republic of Syria
Delegate: Arushi Chopra
No two countries are the same. They have different backgrounds, economies, political systems, cultures, geography. So how can all countries have the same set of rules dealing with migration? Syria proposes the division of countries on the basis of development and type of population for the application of the following rule.
1) Developed nations: there should be no caps on migration. This is because the economy is stable and can afford to lose some workers and create space for more coming in. these economies can work on the principle of efficiency. For eg- USA, UK, Scandinavian countries.
2) Developing nation with substantial manpower and brainpower: there should be no caps on emigration but caps on immigration these countries can afford to lose some workers due to their surplus, but can’t accommodate more people, considering scarce resources and overpopulation. These economies strive to achieve efficiency with equality. For eg- India, China
3) Developing nations with inadequate manpower and brainpower: there should be strict caps on migration. But other forms of international aid should be provided. They can’t afford the entry of more unskilled labour, skilled labour won’t be interested in coming to these countries and they can’t send their people abroad because they are required in their own countries. The priorities of these economies lie in equality. After that is achieved, these countries can lift the caps on migration. For eg- middle eastern countries, African countries.
Clearly, Syria falls in the third category.
Syria has hosted migrants and refugees of various nationalities in the past. But the ugly truth is that it’s trying to gain internal political stability first. 8% of the population (IMF statistics) in Syria constitutes refugees. The direct consequences are, public services are deteriorating, state-run hospitals, inundated by tens of thousands of Iraqis seeking free medical care, are short on staff and medical supplies. At public schools across Damascus, overwhelmed teachers are forced to work double shifts to accommodate Iraqis pushing class sizes to as high as 70 students. Meanwhile, power blackouts blanket the city for up to five hours a day because the country's electrical grid can't meet increasing energy demands during one of the warmest summers on record. Evidently, the Syrian economy doesn't have the resources to sustain current subsidies for food and energy. Keeping in mind the strategy suggested above, Syria plans to introduce a cap (to 5000 refugees a day) on the number of refugees who can enter. It also would like to float the idea of a ‘middle-east refugee rehabilitation treaty’ (MRRT), wherein other countries, apart from Syria can step forward and provide shelter to refugees.
Syria boasts of a literacy rate of about 80%, but still doesn’t feature on the list of developed nations. Syria believes that this is because most of the skilled labour migrates to other parts of the world, thus leading to severe brain drain. Education in Syria is highly subsidised, and the beneficiaries are clearly the host countries of these migrants. Thus Syria would like to strengthen its norms of emigration. Syria intends to get all students who pass out after gaining higher education to sign a bond to work for at least 8 years in Syria even if they wish to leave. Thus, Syria wants to impose restrictions on emigration of skilled workers. In light of the suggestions made above, Syria urges the international community to step forward and support Syria financially and by setting up more institutions of higher learning. (As Germany is doing). Syria also hopes to receive foreign investment to boost economic development and create job opportunity.
Syria also faces the problem of illegal immigration of young girls to work as house maids through illegitimate recruitment agencies. The Syrian government is deeply disturbed by this movement and intends to legalise and register these recruitment agencies so that this movement can be monitored and Human Rights’ violation can be checked.
Syria sincerely hopes that its country-specific recommendations are taken into consideration for the establishment of a new labour migration system in the world.
POSITION PAPER
Committee: Economic and Social council
Topic: Global warming and the economy
Country: Syrian Arab Republic
Delegate: Arushi Chopra
Syria is sensitive to the issue of Global Warming, and the Syrian Cabinet has signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Syria feels that the developed countries that have overcome the basic problems of food, clothing and shelter should take up the responsibility of saving mankind from Global Warming, as a) they have made a greater contribution to the problem and b) they are better equipped to deal with it. Syria recognizes the fact that developing nations too, should monitor their emission levels and not exploit Mother Nature, so Syria is willing to cooperate with the international community. Though, due to its internal problems, Syria would seek international aid in the form of funds and technology to take any action.
Syria faces severe economic consequences of Global warming. River Euphrates, which is a major source of drinking water and irrigation, may dry up due to the brutal Syrian sun. As more than one fourth of the Syrian population relies on agriculture as its livelihood, this might come as a major blow to them. Also, the food security of Syria can be threatened by the same. Further, Syria, being an oil rich country has several pipelines running through it. Frequent temperature fluctuations can cause catastrophic pipeline bursts. Syria, due to its location is already dealing with frequent heat waves. For example, a heat wave in July, 2007 caused a bomb to explode in the city of Aleppo, killing 15 and injuring many. Recently, the temperature in Syria hit a staggering 50 degree Celsius.
To deal with the problem of global warming, Syria has undertaken a National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) for sustainable development. It seeks to check deforestation, monitor carbon emission and conserve natural resources. Syria also hopes to increase its forest cover from 5% to 15%. Syria’s current green house gas emission is 68,420 thousand metric tones, which constitutes .03% of the global emissions. Being an Annexure II member of the Kyoto Protocol, Syria intends to monitor them. Syria also sees itself getting into Carbon trading. Syrian firms see the Carbon market booming and endeavor to associate with it soon. Syria, in collaboration with UNDP has already started looking for alternatives to non renewable and polluting sources of energy in the form of nuclear power generation. Wind energy and hydroelectricity are also in the pipeline.
In his recent speech addressed to the people of Syria, President Bashar al-Assad said “The Greenhouse effect is a global problem. All countries in the world should tackle it in unison”. Thus, Syria hopes to join hands with the rest of the world to mitigate global warming.
position papers LSR
Position Paper on ‘Children in Armed Conflict’
Name: Ipshita Ghosh
Country: Japan
Council: The Human Rights Council
In situations of conflict, children are always vulnerable as they are less equipped to face the conflict and respond to it. As a result, they become victims of armed conflict. They are killed or maimed, physically or sexually abused, abducted, orphaned, deprived of basic services like healthcare or education and robbed of a childhood which is their right. Increasingly, children are also being made instruments of armed conflict. Being impressionable, they can easily be recruited into military groups. They are forced to commit all sorts of atrocities and become victims of severe physical and emotional trauma.
Japan believes that in spite of the increased international consciousness towards the suffering of children in armed conflict, there are many regions of the world where children are faced with inhuman conditions and are forced to become child soldiers. This is reprehensible and Japan advocates a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards violations committed against children for children are the future of the world and jeopardizing their safety would mean jeopardizing the safety of the world. Japan believes that this issue of children and armed conflict requires a collaborative effort between different agencies of the UN, international NGOs and various governments of the world to devise a mechanism which would provide accurate and timely information on the recruitment of child soldiers as well as the atrocities committed against children. Japan has initiated several programmes aimed at the re-integration of the children from conflict-ridden areas like Afghanistan and Iraq into their communities. These programmes are based on ‘human security’ which Japan upholds and is committed to protect. In 2002, Japan became a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. It is also a State Party to the Rome Statute establishing the formation of International Criminal Court. The Rome Statute stipulates the use of children in war as a crime.
Japan believes that the issue of children in armed conflict is becoming more and more complex and the time has come to move from advocacy to implementation. There is a need to heal the children in conflict-ridden areas, both physically and emotionally. It is vital to integrate the children into their communities .Every child is precious and there is a need to work towards re-integrating every child soldier with his community. These programmes work towards lessening individual traumas and contributing towards rebuilding the society in the post-conflict period. However, till then these children need to be protected from the atrocities that armed conflict brings with itself. As mentioned earlier, there is a need to develop an effective system which will track the situation of children in war-torn areas. Such a system must involve countries around the world who have to lend their own resource base to ensure that the problem can be tackled at the earliest. This issue concerns all the nations equally as it concerns the future of the human race; therefore we must find the motivation to strive collectively to create a better world for our children.
Position Paper on ‘Internal Conflict and Protection of Human Rights with special reference to Nepal and Sri Lanka’
Name: Ipshita Ghosh
Country: Japan
Council: The Human Rights Council
Many regions of the world face internal strife and conflict due to a variety of socio-economic or political reasons. In South Asia, Nepal and Sri Lanka present two conflict-ridden areas where there are regular incidents of human rights violations. In Nepal, the political workers, trade unions and the media have been severely suppressed post the 2005 coup. The country’s transition to democracy has not been smooth and it continues to face a variety of challenges including the atrocities from the Maoist insurgents. In Sri Lanka, a civil war has been continuing for the past two decades. Politically motivated killings, disappearances, recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary arrest are some of the accusations made against both LTTE and the Sri Lankan government by major human rights organizations.
Japan acknowledges that the protection of human rights is one of the most important functions of the United Nations. Japan appreciates Nepal’s efforts to move towards democracy and is committed to support it in this cause. It has assisted Nepal in the provision of ballot boxes and has sent six members of the Japan Self-Defence Forces to be a part of the United Nations Mission in Nepal and continues to urge Nepal to hold the Constitutional Assembly election in a fair manner. Japan recently made an aid of Rs.50 million to Nepal for food supply in remote districts. However, Japan believes that peace building and rehabilitation can start only when political conflict ends. In Sri Lanka too, Japan has taken a keen interest to ensure that a solution is reached soon. Japan has also attended the meeting of the Four Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Conference on the Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka. Japan is Sri Lanka’s biggest foreign donor and has provided Rs.343 million for the reconstruction of tsunami-affected schools in certain districts of Sri Lanka. It continues to urge the Sri Lankan government not to adopt military action as a solution to its political problems but to press for solution through dialogue. Japan greatly appreciates the fact that the government has accepted the proposal of the All Party Representative Committee to decentralize power and share it with the provinces. Japan notes that the final package for a lasting and durable solution will be achieved by the APRC process. Japan is committed to provide assistance to both Sri Lanka and Nepal in their efforts towards peace.
In order to protect human rights in conflict situations, there is a need to educate people and build awareness among people as to what are human rights and how they are guaranteed by law. Both nations must also develop their own effective autonomous human rights protection bodies. Since the government is also accused of being a perpetrator of violence in these countries, there should be an emphasis on the role of NGOs and civil societies. Nepal and Sri Lanka must also work towards a speedy and effective solution to their internal political conflict. Once a solution which is acceptable to all is reached, only then can the process of peace building begin.
Delegate Annapoorna Karthika
Country Japan
Committee The Security Council
Topic Area A Nuclear Proliferation
The development of nuclear weapons has been an essential feature of nuclear revolution in the world. This has been one of the catastrophic side-products of modern scientific advances. Nuclear weapons are capable of causing unparallel damage to human lives. Nuclear proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear weapons to states that did not possess them prior to 1968, when Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed. The rise of nuclear weapon states outside NPT has been a cause of concern. The efforts of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with the guidance of the principles of NPT have been successful in curbing the spread of nuclear weapons. The NPT's core objectives are to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons, to grant security for non-nuclear weapon states, which have given up the nuclear preference, to promote international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to pursue negotiations in good faith towards nuclear disarmament leading to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons. Under the auspices of the UN, there is a need for the nations of the world to raise their united voices for the maintenance of international peace and cooperation, which is inextricably linked to the issue of a country’s security.
Being the only victim of nuclear war, Japan stoutly opposes the manufacturing and possession of nuclear weapons. The dropping of two nuclear bombs made from uranium-235 and plutonium-239 on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan exhibited for the first time to the world the disastrous effects of nuclear weapons. Since then, Japan has been an ardent champion of nuclear non-proliferation. Japan has undertaken the responsibility to lead a path for nuclear disarmament. Japan has practised its own policies of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and Principles on Arms Export. Under the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, Japan has followed a policy of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. Japan ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1976. Japan is serving as a contact point for administering the Export Control Framework for Nuclear-related Dual Use Equipment, Materials and Related Technology, established at the Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group in April 1992. Japan has also persuaded the countries of the former Soviet Union except Russia to swiftly participate in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as non-nuclear weapon states. Japan has declared a financial contribution of $20 million to the International Science and Technology associated with weapons of mass destruction from the countries of the former Soviet Union. Japan has been a host for the United Nations Conferences on Disarmament Issues. Japan not only ratified Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) but also has been promoting CTBT as part of its initiative for nuclear disarmament.
As to realize a world free of nuclear weapons, Japan urges the implementation of practical nuclear disarmament measures. Japan would like all nation states to accede to the NPT. Japan supports the establishment of weapons of mass destruction-free zone in the Middle East. Japan recommends all those countries whose ratification is required for the CTBT to enter into force to ratify it at the earliest possible date. While appreciating the efforts of nuclear weapon states in reducing their nuclear arsenals, Japan urges these countries to take further steps for deeper reduction of all types of nuclear weapons. Japan considers the universalization of the IAEA Additional Protocol as an effective and rational means to achieve a nuclear non-proliferation regime. While peaceful use of nuclear energy is increasingly important, it has to be carried with the confidence of the international community.
For its part, Japan stands firmly committed to the policy of nuclear disarmament and multilateral diplomacy in the United Nations in particular and other forums for world peace and prosperity.
Delegate Annapoorna Karthika
Country Japan
Committee The Security Council
Topic Area B Crisis in the Middle East
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is one of the world’s worst human catastrophes. The predicament in the region is at a critical juncture. The international community has to tackle the mounting strain in the region at the earliest. The Middle East being one of the most militarised zones in the world, the region poses threat to international peace and security. The escalating tension between Israel and Palestine, the doubts over Iran’s nuclear program, hardship in rebuilding a democratic Iraq are some of the major concerns if the region. As the struggle in the region has evolved over a long time, the efforts to cease the crisis too would be gradual. Japan strongly supports the efforts by the United Nations in its attempts to restore peace in the Middle East. Under the umbrella of the United Nations, peaceful negotiations could resolve the questions that are impairing the process of global safety and harmony.
Japan is of the opinion that the advancements in the Middle East peace process wield positive influence over the strengthening of international security. Japan has preferred a neutral position in the Middle East crisis. Earnest cooperation has been extended by Japan to all those countries and international organizations that have been actively involved in the Middle East peace process. Japan trusts peaceful coexistence as the only means to achieve peace in the region. Efforts have been made on behalf of Japan to settle the disputes in the political and economic fields, engaging in (i) political dialogues, (ii) assistance to the Palestinians, and (iii) confidence-building measures. Four-Party Consultative Unit for the Concept of the “ Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” has been set up between Japan, Israel, Palestinian Authority and Jordan aspiring to contribute to the creation a viable Palestinian Economy in the future by encouraging the economic development in the Jordan Valley with a focus on the agro-industry sector, to be achieved through regional cooperation. Japan has been providing assistance to Palestine since the Oslo accord of 1993. Japan’s support has been in the following four pillars: (i) humanitarian aid; (ii) assistance for the nation-building efforts; (iii) confidence between Israelis and Palestinians; (iv) economic development assistance towards establishing the self-sustainable Palestinian economy. Japan has implemented more than $830 million as assistance to the Palestinians since 1993. Japan has urged the Palestinian Authority to implement actions to prevent the rise of extremism. Japan is also committed to a stable democratic government in Iraq. Japan has been firm on its decision to provide both finacial assistance and a personal contribution through the Self Defence Foces (SDF) and the Support Personnel for Reconstruction. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is a Peace-Keeping Operation in which Japan is currently taking part. UNDOF has been stationed in the Golen Heights since June 1974, watching the ceasefire between Isreal and Syria and monitoring the disengagement arrangement between their forces. Japan has been providing logistic support to UNOF since Feruaury 1996. It shares a very cordial relationship with Iran. Japan has explained its stance on this Iran’s nuclear issues and has expressed its strong hopes that Iran would resove this issue by means of international cooperation.
Japan realizing the importance of peace in the Middle East as a mechanism to bring stability in the region and the world intends to pursue its own diplomatic involvement in the crisis in the Middle East.
Name: Ipshita Ghosh
Country: Japan
Council: The Human Rights Council
In situations of conflict, children are always vulnerable as they are less equipped to face the conflict and respond to it. As a result, they become victims of armed conflict. They are killed or maimed, physically or sexually abused, abducted, orphaned, deprived of basic services like healthcare or education and robbed of a childhood which is their right. Increasingly, children are also being made instruments of armed conflict. Being impressionable, they can easily be recruited into military groups. They are forced to commit all sorts of atrocities and become victims of severe physical and emotional trauma.
Japan believes that in spite of the increased international consciousness towards the suffering of children in armed conflict, there are many regions of the world where children are faced with inhuman conditions and are forced to become child soldiers. This is reprehensible and Japan advocates a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards violations committed against children for children are the future of the world and jeopardizing their safety would mean jeopardizing the safety of the world. Japan believes that this issue of children and armed conflict requires a collaborative effort between different agencies of the UN, international NGOs and various governments of the world to devise a mechanism which would provide accurate and timely information on the recruitment of child soldiers as well as the atrocities committed against children. Japan has initiated several programmes aimed at the re-integration of the children from conflict-ridden areas like Afghanistan and Iraq into their communities. These programmes are based on ‘human security’ which Japan upholds and is committed to protect. In 2002, Japan became a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. It is also a State Party to the Rome Statute establishing the formation of International Criminal Court. The Rome Statute stipulates the use of children in war as a crime.
Japan believes that the issue of children in armed conflict is becoming more and more complex and the time has come to move from advocacy to implementation. There is a need to heal the children in conflict-ridden areas, both physically and emotionally. It is vital to integrate the children into their communities .Every child is precious and there is a need to work towards re-integrating every child soldier with his community. These programmes work towards lessening individual traumas and contributing towards rebuilding the society in the post-conflict period. However, till then these children need to be protected from the atrocities that armed conflict brings with itself. As mentioned earlier, there is a need to develop an effective system which will track the situation of children in war-torn areas. Such a system must involve countries around the world who have to lend their own resource base to ensure that the problem can be tackled at the earliest. This issue concerns all the nations equally as it concerns the future of the human race; therefore we must find the motivation to strive collectively to create a better world for our children.
Position Paper on ‘Internal Conflict and Protection of Human Rights with special reference to Nepal and Sri Lanka’
Name: Ipshita Ghosh
Country: Japan
Council: The Human Rights Council
Many regions of the world face internal strife and conflict due to a variety of socio-economic or political reasons. In South Asia, Nepal and Sri Lanka present two conflict-ridden areas where there are regular incidents of human rights violations. In Nepal, the political workers, trade unions and the media have been severely suppressed post the 2005 coup. The country’s transition to democracy has not been smooth and it continues to face a variety of challenges including the atrocities from the Maoist insurgents. In Sri Lanka, a civil war has been continuing for the past two decades. Politically motivated killings, disappearances, recruitment of child soldiers, arbitrary arrest are some of the accusations made against both LTTE and the Sri Lankan government by major human rights organizations.
Japan acknowledges that the protection of human rights is one of the most important functions of the United Nations. Japan appreciates Nepal’s efforts to move towards democracy and is committed to support it in this cause. It has assisted Nepal in the provision of ballot boxes and has sent six members of the Japan Self-Defence Forces to be a part of the United Nations Mission in Nepal and continues to urge Nepal to hold the Constitutional Assembly election in a fair manner. Japan recently made an aid of Rs.50 million to Nepal for food supply in remote districts. However, Japan believes that peace building and rehabilitation can start only when political conflict ends. In Sri Lanka too, Japan has taken a keen interest to ensure that a solution is reached soon. Japan has also attended the meeting of the Four Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Conference on the Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka. Japan is Sri Lanka’s biggest foreign donor and has provided Rs.343 million for the reconstruction of tsunami-affected schools in certain districts of Sri Lanka. It continues to urge the Sri Lankan government not to adopt military action as a solution to its political problems but to press for solution through dialogue. Japan greatly appreciates the fact that the government has accepted the proposal of the All Party Representative Committee to decentralize power and share it with the provinces. Japan notes that the final package for a lasting and durable solution will be achieved by the APRC process. Japan is committed to provide assistance to both Sri Lanka and Nepal in their efforts towards peace.
In order to protect human rights in conflict situations, there is a need to educate people and build awareness among people as to what are human rights and how they are guaranteed by law. Both nations must also develop their own effective autonomous human rights protection bodies. Since the government is also accused of being a perpetrator of violence in these countries, there should be an emphasis on the role of NGOs and civil societies. Nepal and Sri Lanka must also work towards a speedy and effective solution to their internal political conflict. Once a solution which is acceptable to all is reached, only then can the process of peace building begin.
Delegate Annapoorna Karthika
Country Japan
Committee The Security Council
Topic Area A Nuclear Proliferation
The development of nuclear weapons has been an essential feature of nuclear revolution in the world. This has been one of the catastrophic side-products of modern scientific advances. Nuclear weapons are capable of causing unparallel damage to human lives. Nuclear proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear weapons to states that did not possess them prior to 1968, when Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed. The rise of nuclear weapon states outside NPT has been a cause of concern. The efforts of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with the guidance of the principles of NPT have been successful in curbing the spread of nuclear weapons. The NPT's core objectives are to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons, to grant security for non-nuclear weapon states, which have given up the nuclear preference, to promote international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to pursue negotiations in good faith towards nuclear disarmament leading to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons. Under the auspices of the UN, there is a need for the nations of the world to raise their united voices for the maintenance of international peace and cooperation, which is inextricably linked to the issue of a country’s security.
Being the only victim of nuclear war, Japan stoutly opposes the manufacturing and possession of nuclear weapons. The dropping of two nuclear bombs made from uranium-235 and plutonium-239 on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan exhibited for the first time to the world the disastrous effects of nuclear weapons. Since then, Japan has been an ardent champion of nuclear non-proliferation. Japan has undertaken the responsibility to lead a path for nuclear disarmament. Japan has practised its own policies of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and Principles on Arms Export. Under the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, Japan has followed a policy of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. Japan ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1976. Japan is serving as a contact point for administering the Export Control Framework for Nuclear-related Dual Use Equipment, Materials and Related Technology, established at the Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group in April 1992. Japan has also persuaded the countries of the former Soviet Union except Russia to swiftly participate in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as non-nuclear weapon states. Japan has declared a financial contribution of $20 million to the International Science and Technology associated with weapons of mass destruction from the countries of the former Soviet Union. Japan has been a host for the United Nations Conferences on Disarmament Issues. Japan not only ratified Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) but also has been promoting CTBT as part of its initiative for nuclear disarmament.
As to realize a world free of nuclear weapons, Japan urges the implementation of practical nuclear disarmament measures. Japan would like all nation states to accede to the NPT. Japan supports the establishment of weapons of mass destruction-free zone in the Middle East. Japan recommends all those countries whose ratification is required for the CTBT to enter into force to ratify it at the earliest possible date. While appreciating the efforts of nuclear weapon states in reducing their nuclear arsenals, Japan urges these countries to take further steps for deeper reduction of all types of nuclear weapons. Japan considers the universalization of the IAEA Additional Protocol as an effective and rational means to achieve a nuclear non-proliferation regime. While peaceful use of nuclear energy is increasingly important, it has to be carried with the confidence of the international community.
For its part, Japan stands firmly committed to the policy of nuclear disarmament and multilateral diplomacy in the United Nations in particular and other forums for world peace and prosperity.
Delegate Annapoorna Karthika
Country Japan
Committee The Security Council
Topic Area B Crisis in the Middle East
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is one of the world’s worst human catastrophes. The predicament in the region is at a critical juncture. The international community has to tackle the mounting strain in the region at the earliest. The Middle East being one of the most militarised zones in the world, the region poses threat to international peace and security. The escalating tension between Israel and Palestine, the doubts over Iran’s nuclear program, hardship in rebuilding a democratic Iraq are some of the major concerns if the region. As the struggle in the region has evolved over a long time, the efforts to cease the crisis too would be gradual. Japan strongly supports the efforts by the United Nations in its attempts to restore peace in the Middle East. Under the umbrella of the United Nations, peaceful negotiations could resolve the questions that are impairing the process of global safety and harmony.
Japan is of the opinion that the advancements in the Middle East peace process wield positive influence over the strengthening of international security. Japan has preferred a neutral position in the Middle East crisis. Earnest cooperation has been extended by Japan to all those countries and international organizations that have been actively involved in the Middle East peace process. Japan trusts peaceful coexistence as the only means to achieve peace in the region. Efforts have been made on behalf of Japan to settle the disputes in the political and economic fields, engaging in (i) political dialogues, (ii) assistance to the Palestinians, and (iii) confidence-building measures. Four-Party Consultative Unit for the Concept of the “ Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” has been set up between Japan, Israel, Palestinian Authority and Jordan aspiring to contribute to the creation a viable Palestinian Economy in the future by encouraging the economic development in the Jordan Valley with a focus on the agro-industry sector, to be achieved through regional cooperation. Japan has been providing assistance to Palestine since the Oslo accord of 1993. Japan’s support has been in the following four pillars: (i) humanitarian aid; (ii) assistance for the nation-building efforts; (iii) confidence between Israelis and Palestinians; (iv) economic development assistance towards establishing the self-sustainable Palestinian economy. Japan has implemented more than $830 million as assistance to the Palestinians since 1993. Japan has urged the Palestinian Authority to implement actions to prevent the rise of extremism. Japan is also committed to a stable democratic government in Iraq. Japan has been firm on its decision to provide both finacial assistance and a personal contribution through the Self Defence Foces (SDF) and the Support Personnel for Reconstruction. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is a Peace-Keeping Operation in which Japan is currently taking part. UNDOF has been stationed in the Golen Heights since June 1974, watching the ceasefire between Isreal and Syria and monitoring the disengagement arrangement between their forces. Japan has been providing logistic support to UNOF since Feruaury 1996. It shares a very cordial relationship with Iran. Japan has explained its stance on this Iran’s nuclear issues and has expressed its strong hopes that Iran would resove this issue by means of international cooperation.
Japan realizing the importance of peace in the Middle East as a mechanism to bring stability in the region and the world intends to pursue its own diplomatic involvement in the crisis in the Middle East.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
position papers from NUJS team
POSITION PAPER
Committee : ECOSOC Council
Agenda : Global Warming and the World Economy
Country : The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Delegate : Ms Ketaki Purohit
The freedom of maximum growth and development is available to every person and every nation on this planet. The same is the direct or indirect objective of every Charter or Treaty Agreement signed by any country. The United Kingdom not only affirms the above, but also takes cognizance of the environmental costs of development.
The evidence provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was accepted and the acted upon by the UK by way of ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in March 2002. The legally binding target of reduction of emissions under the Protocol is 12.5 % by 2008-2012. The UK has taken a step ahead and committed to a domestic obligation of 20 %. In furtherance of the above, the Climate Change Levy was implemented which provides for penalties and benefits to regulate energy consumption.
Individually and as a part of the European Union, the United Kingdom stands firm to its commitment towards mitigation of global warming. The United Kingdom believes that the measures under the Kyoto Protocol, especially International Emissions Trading provide a temporary solution at the very least. The benefits of Emissions Trading, most importantly Carbon Credits Trading accrue in the form of generation of property rights leading to creation of markets and significantly, the transfer of wealth from polluters to non-polluters.
At the 13th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Bali in December 2007, the UK reiterated its position and support to the European Union’s Emissions Trading System. The UK urges that global warming is not merely rhetoric but the responsibility of all nations and therefore the burden be equitably distributed and that no lapses or leeway be tolerated in this regard.
POSITION PAPER
Committee : ECOSOC Council
Agenda : Labour Migration
Country: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Delegate : Ms Ketaki Purohit
The United Kingdom recognizes the right to earn a livelihood of every human being on this planet and strives to provide the same for its citizens. Acknowledging its position as a developed economy, the UK has played its part in facilitating employment by providing asylum for immigrants, to a reasonable extent. Immigration and asylum policies are rarely absent from public debate in the UK.
Since the mid-1990s, trade unions and employers’ associations have largely supported government attempts to develop a more active 'managed migration' policy in the UK. Alongside policies to tackle illegal working, a series of measures were introduced to streamline and extend the legal migration routes previously available. Prior to making other international commitments, however the United Kingdom seeks to uphold existing EU Member State agreements that transitional arrangements be introduced to limit or regulate access to their labour markets by nationals of the other eight accession countries (the A8).
Further, the UK welcomes commitment to honour international obligations to provide a safe haven for bonafide refugees, and argues that governments should do more to counter the illegal emigration as well as immigration, implement stronger measures to deal with rogue employers that exploit migrant workers.
. Position Paper
Delegate: Mrinal Kanwar
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Human Rights Council
Topic: Children in Armed Conflict
The four 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, to which UK is a signatory, offer specific protection to children during armed conflict. The UK ratified the ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ in December 1991. In September, 2000, UK signed the ‘Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict’, signifying its commitment to eliminating the recruitment and deployment of minors in Armed Forces.
During its presidency of the EU, in 2005, the UK lobbied seven target governments to address the issue of children and armed conflict and the adoption of a comprehensive review of EU activity in this area, including a series of recommendations setting out how the EU should respond to children affected by armed conflict in the future. The UK supported the measures taken by the Human Rights Council to deal with the situation of humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Haiti, Middle East. The United Kingdom also helped to secure a durable cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, leading to the adoption of Resolution 1701 by the UN Security Council. The UK has recently contributed £250,000 to a UN appeal fund to support the mediation process for ending the practice of recruiting child soldiers in Uganda.
In furtherance of its campaign for protecting children in armed conflict, the UK encourages universal ratification of the Optional Protocol as the main countries practicing such gross violation of child rights are primarily those who have not yet assented to the same, like Ghana, Iran, Iraq, and Palestine etc. Nevertheless, countries like Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo etc have ignored the Protocol inspite of being signatories to it.
UK, being in the P5 and in furtherance of its spirit of preserving Human Rights and civil liberties proposes to conduct diplomatic lobbying exercises, to monitor local developments, to help with further work in highlighted areas for development and progress.
Position Paper
Delegate: Mrinal Kanwar
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Human Rights Council
Topic: Internal conflict and protection of human rights with special reference to Nepal and Sri Lanka
The UK, being a signatory to the United Nations Development Program and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, aims at creating an atmosphere in which the Nepalese and Sri Lankan people can freely enjoy their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
There have been gross Human Rights violations in these nations, due to the never ending internal political conflict. Human rights have thus, been marginalised and subordinated to political considerations in the efforts to establish peace between the Maoists, the Government and the King in Nepal and the LTTE and the Government in Sri Lanka.
The UK has the longest history of representation in Nepal of any foreign state and has one of the largest Bilateral Development Assistance Programmes in the country. The UK is also a party to the UNMIN and has dispatched 2 military observers to Nepal under the same. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to Nepal after Japan, and the fourth over all after the World Bank and Asia Development Bank. The UK further continues to coordinate international efforts to help resolve the conflict in Nepal through the International Support Group.
The British Government’s Bilateral Development Programme in Sri Lanka is administered by the DFID, which, recognizes the existing conflict raging in the country for almost 2 decades, identifies the main cause hindering efforts to eliminate poverty, and places an important focus on Conflict Resolution initiatives, thereby, establishing Relief and Rehabilitation Programme for displaced people and communities affected by the conflict and supporting the ongoing peace process.
Furthermore, the UK proposes for the formulation of formal co-ordination mechanisms among the major donors which would help in channelising the donations and recommends a long term planning for dealing with the issues of internal conflicts in these nations, to avoid the end moment confusion which may result from conflicting decisions taken by different donor countries.
Position Paper
Delegate: Mrinal Kanwar
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Human Rights Council
Topic: Internal conflict and protection of human rights with special reference to Nepal and Sri Lanka
The UK, being a signatory to the United Nations Development Program and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, aims at creating an atmosphere in which the Nepalese and Sri Lankan people can freely enjoy their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
There have been gross Human Rights violations in these nations, due to the never ending internal political conflict. Human rights have thus, been marginalised and subordinated to political considerations in the efforts to establish peace between the Maoists, the Government and the King in Nepal and the LTTE and the Government in Sri Lanka.
The UK has the longest history of representation in Nepal of any foreign state and has one of the largest Bilateral Development Assistance Programmes in the country. The UK is also a party to the UNMIN and has dispatched 2 military observers to Nepal under the same. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to Nepal after Japan, and the fourth over all after the World Bank and Asia Development Bank. The UK further continues to coordinate international efforts to help resolve the conflict in Nepal through the International Support Group.
The British Government’s Bilateral Development Programme in Sri Lanka is administered by the DFID, which, recognizes the existing conflict raging in the country for almost 2 decades, identifies the main cause hindering efforts to eliminate poverty, and places an important focus on Conflict Resolution initiatives, thereby, establishing Relief and Rehabilitation Programme for displaced people and communities affected by the conflict and supporting the ongoing peace process.
Furthermore, the UK proposes for the formulation of formal co-ordination mechanisms among the major donors which would help in channelising the donations and recommends a long term planning for dealing with the issues of internal conflicts in these nations, to avoid the end moment confusion which may result from conflicting decisions taken by different donor countries.
Position Paper
Delegate: Samya Chatterjee
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Security Council
Topic: Nuclear Proliferation
"The UK is determined to have a world free of nuclear weapons. But to get there we must first create an international environment that better supports disarmament. The UK has and will continue to pursue this until nuclear weapons no longer exist" - Defense Secretary Des Browne
The NPT(Nuclear Proliferation Treaty) signed on July 1, 1968 as an instrument to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons has not lived up to the expectation to the extent that it has failed to keep non-signatories and ‘renegade states’ from pursuing nuclear capabilities. In this respect, it is essential that the five nuclear states take the initiative towards disarmament as the first step to prevent proliferation in accordance with Article VI of the NPT. The United Kingdom in the past has played a key role in this respect.
Examples of the UK's initiatives include:
• Continuing to be a leading advocate for UN Security Council Resolution 1540 which puts legally binding obligations on all UN Member States to combat proliferation of WMD.
• Maintaining a moratorium on nuclear testing since 1991.
Though United Kingdom completely supports the policy of disarmament, in the face of new challenges i.e. rogue states and non-state actors, it is in the interest of our security that a minimum nuclear deterrent capability currently represented by Trident is to remain a necessary element of our security. Coming to the question of nuclear states not a party to the NPT, it is indispensable that their national security resources are in safe hands and they must adhere to the IAEA safeguards. A situation in contradiction to the above-mentioned stand calls for inspection by a credible third party to ensure detection and deterrence.
The United Kingdom firmly believes in a nuclear free world but to get there we must create an international atmosphere that better supports disarmament. The UK has and will continue to pursue this until nuclear weapons no longer exist.
Committee : ECOSOC Council
Agenda : Global Warming and the World Economy
Country : The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Delegate : Ms Ketaki Purohit
The freedom of maximum growth and development is available to every person and every nation on this planet. The same is the direct or indirect objective of every Charter or Treaty Agreement signed by any country. The United Kingdom not only affirms the above, but also takes cognizance of the environmental costs of development.
The evidence provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was accepted and the acted upon by the UK by way of ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in March 2002. The legally binding target of reduction of emissions under the Protocol is 12.5 % by 2008-2012. The UK has taken a step ahead and committed to a domestic obligation of 20 %. In furtherance of the above, the Climate Change Levy was implemented which provides for penalties and benefits to regulate energy consumption.
Individually and as a part of the European Union, the United Kingdom stands firm to its commitment towards mitigation of global warming. The United Kingdom believes that the measures under the Kyoto Protocol, especially International Emissions Trading provide a temporary solution at the very least. The benefits of Emissions Trading, most importantly Carbon Credits Trading accrue in the form of generation of property rights leading to creation of markets and significantly, the transfer of wealth from polluters to non-polluters.
At the 13th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Bali in December 2007, the UK reiterated its position and support to the European Union’s Emissions Trading System. The UK urges that global warming is not merely rhetoric but the responsibility of all nations and therefore the burden be equitably distributed and that no lapses or leeway be tolerated in this regard.
POSITION PAPER
Committee : ECOSOC Council
Agenda : Labour Migration
Country: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Delegate : Ms Ketaki Purohit
The United Kingdom recognizes the right to earn a livelihood of every human being on this planet and strives to provide the same for its citizens. Acknowledging its position as a developed economy, the UK has played its part in facilitating employment by providing asylum for immigrants, to a reasonable extent. Immigration and asylum policies are rarely absent from public debate in the UK.
Since the mid-1990s, trade unions and employers’ associations have largely supported government attempts to develop a more active 'managed migration' policy in the UK. Alongside policies to tackle illegal working, a series of measures were introduced to streamline and extend the legal migration routes previously available. Prior to making other international commitments, however the United Kingdom seeks to uphold existing EU Member State agreements that transitional arrangements be introduced to limit or regulate access to their labour markets by nationals of the other eight accession countries (the A8).
Further, the UK welcomes commitment to honour international obligations to provide a safe haven for bonafide refugees, and argues that governments should do more to counter the illegal emigration as well as immigration, implement stronger measures to deal with rogue employers that exploit migrant workers.
. Position Paper
Delegate: Mrinal Kanwar
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Human Rights Council
Topic: Children in Armed Conflict
The four 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, to which UK is a signatory, offer specific protection to children during armed conflict. The UK ratified the ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ in December 1991. In September, 2000, UK signed the ‘Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict’, signifying its commitment to eliminating the recruitment and deployment of minors in Armed Forces.
During its presidency of the EU, in 2005, the UK lobbied seven target governments to address the issue of children and armed conflict and the adoption of a comprehensive review of EU activity in this area, including a series of recommendations setting out how the EU should respond to children affected by armed conflict in the future. The UK supported the measures taken by the Human Rights Council to deal with the situation of humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Haiti, Middle East. The United Kingdom also helped to secure a durable cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, leading to the adoption of Resolution 1701 by the UN Security Council. The UK has recently contributed £250,000 to a UN appeal fund to support the mediation process for ending the practice of recruiting child soldiers in Uganda.
In furtherance of its campaign for protecting children in armed conflict, the UK encourages universal ratification of the Optional Protocol as the main countries practicing such gross violation of child rights are primarily those who have not yet assented to the same, like Ghana, Iran, Iraq, and Palestine etc. Nevertheless, countries like Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo etc have ignored the Protocol inspite of being signatories to it.
UK, being in the P5 and in furtherance of its spirit of preserving Human Rights and civil liberties proposes to conduct diplomatic lobbying exercises, to monitor local developments, to help with further work in highlighted areas for development and progress.
Position Paper
Delegate: Mrinal Kanwar
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Human Rights Council
Topic: Internal conflict and protection of human rights with special reference to Nepal and Sri Lanka
The UK, being a signatory to the United Nations Development Program and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, aims at creating an atmosphere in which the Nepalese and Sri Lankan people can freely enjoy their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
There have been gross Human Rights violations in these nations, due to the never ending internal political conflict. Human rights have thus, been marginalised and subordinated to political considerations in the efforts to establish peace between the Maoists, the Government and the King in Nepal and the LTTE and the Government in Sri Lanka.
The UK has the longest history of representation in Nepal of any foreign state and has one of the largest Bilateral Development Assistance Programmes in the country. The UK is also a party to the UNMIN and has dispatched 2 military observers to Nepal under the same. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to Nepal after Japan, and the fourth over all after the World Bank and Asia Development Bank. The UK further continues to coordinate international efforts to help resolve the conflict in Nepal through the International Support Group.
The British Government’s Bilateral Development Programme in Sri Lanka is administered by the DFID, which, recognizes the existing conflict raging in the country for almost 2 decades, identifies the main cause hindering efforts to eliminate poverty, and places an important focus on Conflict Resolution initiatives, thereby, establishing Relief and Rehabilitation Programme for displaced people and communities affected by the conflict and supporting the ongoing peace process.
Furthermore, the UK proposes for the formulation of formal co-ordination mechanisms among the major donors which would help in channelising the donations and recommends a long term planning for dealing with the issues of internal conflicts in these nations, to avoid the end moment confusion which may result from conflicting decisions taken by different donor countries.
Position Paper
Delegate: Mrinal Kanwar
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Human Rights Council
Topic: Internal conflict and protection of human rights with special reference to Nepal and Sri Lanka
The UK, being a signatory to the United Nations Development Program and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, aims at creating an atmosphere in which the Nepalese and Sri Lankan people can freely enjoy their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
There have been gross Human Rights violations in these nations, due to the never ending internal political conflict. Human rights have thus, been marginalised and subordinated to political considerations in the efforts to establish peace between the Maoists, the Government and the King in Nepal and the LTTE and the Government in Sri Lanka.
The UK has the longest history of representation in Nepal of any foreign state and has one of the largest Bilateral Development Assistance Programmes in the country. The UK is also a party to the UNMIN and has dispatched 2 military observers to Nepal under the same. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to Nepal after Japan, and the fourth over all after the World Bank and Asia Development Bank. The UK further continues to coordinate international efforts to help resolve the conflict in Nepal through the International Support Group.
The British Government’s Bilateral Development Programme in Sri Lanka is administered by the DFID, which, recognizes the existing conflict raging in the country for almost 2 decades, identifies the main cause hindering efforts to eliminate poverty, and places an important focus on Conflict Resolution initiatives, thereby, establishing Relief and Rehabilitation Programme for displaced people and communities affected by the conflict and supporting the ongoing peace process.
Furthermore, the UK proposes for the formulation of formal co-ordination mechanisms among the major donors which would help in channelising the donations and recommends a long term planning for dealing with the issues of internal conflicts in these nations, to avoid the end moment confusion which may result from conflicting decisions taken by different donor countries.
Position Paper
Delegate: Samya Chatterjee
College: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences
Country: United Kingdom
Committee: Security Council
Topic: Nuclear Proliferation
"The UK is determined to have a world free of nuclear weapons. But to get there we must first create an international environment that better supports disarmament. The UK has and will continue to pursue this until nuclear weapons no longer exist" - Defense Secretary Des Browne
The NPT(Nuclear Proliferation Treaty) signed on July 1, 1968 as an instrument to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons has not lived up to the expectation to the extent that it has failed to keep non-signatories and ‘renegade states’ from pursuing nuclear capabilities. In this respect, it is essential that the five nuclear states take the initiative towards disarmament as the first step to prevent proliferation in accordance with Article VI of the NPT. The United Kingdom in the past has played a key role in this respect.
Examples of the UK's initiatives include:
• Continuing to be a leading advocate for UN Security Council Resolution 1540 which puts legally binding obligations on all UN Member States to combat proliferation of WMD.
• Maintaining a moratorium on nuclear testing since 1991.
Though United Kingdom completely supports the policy of disarmament, in the face of new challenges i.e. rogue states and non-state actors, it is in the interest of our security that a minimum nuclear deterrent capability currently represented by Trident is to remain a necessary element of our security. Coming to the question of nuclear states not a party to the NPT, it is indispensable that their national security resources are in safe hands and they must adhere to the IAEA safeguards. A situation in contradiction to the above-mentioned stand calls for inspection by a credible third party to ensure detection and deterrence.
The United Kingdom firmly believes in a nuclear free world but to get there we must create an international atmosphere that better supports disarmament. The UK has and will continue to pursue this until nuclear weapons no longer exist.
POSITION PAPER on The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
POSITION PAPER on The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Delegate : Sneha Elizabeth Joseph
College : Jesus and Mary College
Country : Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Council : Security Council
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) recognizes the need to act against the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, as constitute a threat to international peace and security.
The treaty ensures the benefit to society as a whole, by protecting it from the perils of a nuclear war and encourages all member nations, by adherence to its conditions, to appropriately refrain from involving themselves in development of nuclear weapons and weapon material. Support, in the form of adherence, to the treaty conditions is desirable by all member nations.
The Republic of Korea recognizes the threat posed to mankind by such developments and in the interest of its own people and people in general strongly condemns any instance or report of ill-behavior by member states. The government of the Republic of Korea has always acted in accordance with the conditions in the treaty and pledges its future adherence also. The Republic of Korea seeks an explanation on grounds of humanitarian concerns of other nations from countries that are reportedly guilty of testing or developing nuclear weapon or weapon material and deplores all such acts . It calls for immediate and appropriate action to be taken in this regard .
With regard to the NPT the Republic of Korea and its people strongly condemn declarations by the Democratic Republic of Korea on its testing of nuclear material and deplores its withdrawal from the Treaty and Six-party Talks initiated .
POSITION PAPER on the Middle East crisis
Delegate : Sneha Elizabeth Joseph
College : Jesus and Mary College
Country : Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Council : Security Council
Peace and stability in the war-ridden parts of the Middle East has been a major source of concern and worry for nations worldwide. All countries do agree that constant war and conflict, social and economic instability, resulting human displacement and issues of personal human uncertainty and insecurity are undesirable.
The continuing situation in the Middle East has, in the recent times seen significant improvement in several aspects in many of the affected regions. Israel has been involved in healthy dialogue with Palestine and Lebanon .The situation in Iraq holds promise for a positive future. The Republic of Korea extends its support for any such positive development in the future. However, there are several humanitarian issues –like the displacement of the population in Gaza and the West Bank , unsafe conditions in several parts of Iraq ,especially for women and children.[Resolution 1790 (2007) , Resolution 1788 (2007)].These have been rightly discussed and resolutions passed in the Council (. However, continuing focus is still required.
The Republic of Korea stands firm on its policy of peaceful co-existence and condemns any act or instance of disturbance to deter or hinder peace-building measures and reaches out to all member nations to recognize and reconcile. The Republic of Korea and its people have been active participants in rehabilitation activities through monetary aid and physical participation in rehabilitation measures in several regions and will continue to do so. The nation stands united in its criticism and aversion of war and its condemnation of all those who resort to unbecoming means to resist the establishment of a stable and peaceful nation .
Delegate : Sneha Elizabeth Joseph
College : Jesus and Mary College
Country : Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Council : Security Council
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) recognizes the need to act against the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, as constitute a threat to international peace and security.
The treaty ensures the benefit to society as a whole, by protecting it from the perils of a nuclear war and encourages all member nations, by adherence to its conditions, to appropriately refrain from involving themselves in development of nuclear weapons and weapon material. Support, in the form of adherence, to the treaty conditions is desirable by all member nations.
The Republic of Korea recognizes the threat posed to mankind by such developments and in the interest of its own people and people in general strongly condemns any instance or report of ill-behavior by member states. The government of the Republic of Korea has always acted in accordance with the conditions in the treaty and pledges its future adherence also. The Republic of Korea seeks an explanation on grounds of humanitarian concerns of other nations from countries that are reportedly guilty of testing or developing nuclear weapon or weapon material and deplores all such acts . It calls for immediate and appropriate action to be taken in this regard .
With regard to the NPT the Republic of Korea and its people strongly condemn declarations by the Democratic Republic of Korea on its testing of nuclear material and deplores its withdrawal from the Treaty and Six-party Talks initiated .
POSITION PAPER on the Middle East crisis
Delegate : Sneha Elizabeth Joseph
College : Jesus and Mary College
Country : Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Council : Security Council
Peace and stability in the war-ridden parts of the Middle East has been a major source of concern and worry for nations worldwide. All countries do agree that constant war and conflict, social and economic instability, resulting human displacement and issues of personal human uncertainty and insecurity are undesirable.
The continuing situation in the Middle East has, in the recent times seen significant improvement in several aspects in many of the affected regions. Israel has been involved in healthy dialogue with Palestine and Lebanon .The situation in Iraq holds promise for a positive future. The Republic of Korea extends its support for any such positive development in the future. However, there are several humanitarian issues –like the displacement of the population in Gaza and the West Bank , unsafe conditions in several parts of Iraq ,especially for women and children.[Resolution 1790 (2007) , Resolution 1788 (2007)].These have been rightly discussed and resolutions passed in the Council (. However, continuing focus is still required.
The Republic of Korea stands firm on its policy of peaceful co-existence and condemns any act or instance of disturbance to deter or hinder peace-building measures and reaches out to all member nations to recognize and reconcile. The Republic of Korea and its people have been active participants in rehabilitation activities through monetary aid and physical participation in rehabilitation measures in several regions and will continue to do so. The nation stands united in its criticism and aversion of war and its condemnation of all those who resort to unbecoming means to resist the establishment of a stable and peaceful nation .
Internal conflict FINAL
NAME: KALYANI SETH
COLLEGE: JESUS AND MARY COLLEGE
COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF KOREA
COMMITTEE: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
TOPIC: INTERNAL CONFLICT AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO SRI LANKA AND NEPAL
The Republic of Korea puts forth its concerns regarding the rights of children affected by war, violence against women,it strongly condemnes
the practice of honour killings, and legislation favouring those guilty of
such heinous crimes, urging that this practice should be actively discouraged. Use of rape as a tool of war is totally unacceptable and no amount of humanitarian assistance could overcome the serious after-effects of such cruel treatment.
With Sri Lanka being the victim to the ravages caused by the LTTE, labeled
as the most dangerous terrorist organization recently by the FBI, the preservation of Human rights becomes all the more a relevant issue. Its people have faced countless cases of killings, torture, rape, discrimination, and violence against children and women. South Korea would like to see a more stable Sri Lanka as one of its important trade partners.
Nepal, has been caught in the violence for over 10 years; Nepal's people
have become the often-overlooked victims of the ongoing strife, their plight aggravated by poverty and abuse. In the past decade of the armed Maoist rebellion, some 13,000 civilians have died in the violence in remote regions and rural areas. South Korea has signed an MoU with Nepal paving the way for the construction of a Government Integrated Data and Training Center.
South Korea on its part is also taking steps towards abolishing death penalty in the country. One of the most important human rights issue in South Korea continues to be the National Security Law, which is used arbitrarily to curtail the right to freedom of ex-pression and association, providing long sentences or the dealth penalty for loosely defined 'anti-state' activities. President Kim Dae-Jung has announced his willingness to repeal the harsh National Security Law, as recommended by
the United Nations Human Rights Committee and demanded by a coalition of more than 200 local rights organizations. As per allegations by the international community, in South Korea and many other countries in Asia, migrants have frequently faced discrimination in accessing their rights to equality, housing, health care and labour
rights which the Government is trying to progressively eliminate. The
government, in June 2002, recognized the need to give worker status to unskilled
foreign labor for the first time under the Employment Management Scheme. Due to
its limited scope, it failed to significantly decrease the number of undocumented workers. Finally, in July 2003, the government introduced a
new employment permit system for guest workers. On 31July 2004, new act regulating the work permit system of migrant workers was passed, which granted foreign workers rights not only to legal employment but also to join unions, to collective bargaining, and to strike.
COLLEGE: JESUS AND MARY COLLEGE
COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF KOREA
COMMITTEE: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
TOPIC: INTERNAL CONFLICT AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO SRI LANKA AND NEPAL
The Republic of Korea puts forth its concerns regarding the rights of children affected by war, violence against women,it strongly condemnes
the practice of honour killings, and legislation favouring those guilty of
such heinous crimes, urging that this practice should be actively discouraged. Use of rape as a tool of war is totally unacceptable and no amount of humanitarian assistance could overcome the serious after-effects of such cruel treatment.
With Sri Lanka being the victim to the ravages caused by the LTTE, labeled
as the most dangerous terrorist organization recently by the FBI, the preservation of Human rights becomes all the more a relevant issue. Its people have faced countless cases of killings, torture, rape, discrimination, and violence against children and women. South Korea would like to see a more stable Sri Lanka as one of its important trade partners.
Nepal, has been caught in the violence for over 10 years; Nepal's people
have become the often-overlooked victims of the ongoing strife, their plight aggravated by poverty and abuse. In the past decade of the armed Maoist rebellion, some 13,000 civilians have died in the violence in remote regions and rural areas. South Korea has signed an MoU with Nepal paving the way for the construction of a Government Integrated Data and Training Center.
South Korea on its part is also taking steps towards abolishing death penalty in the country. One of the most important human rights issue in South Korea continues to be the National Security Law, which is used arbitrarily to curtail the right to freedom of ex-pression and association, providing long sentences or the dealth penalty for loosely defined 'anti-state' activities. President Kim Dae-Jung has announced his willingness to repeal the harsh National Security Law, as recommended by
the United Nations Human Rights Committee and demanded by a coalition of more than 200 local rights organizations. As per allegations by the international community, in South Korea and many other countries in Asia, migrants have frequently faced discrimination in accessing their rights to equality, housing, health care and labour
rights which the Government is trying to progressively eliminate. The
government, in June 2002, recognized the need to give worker status to unskilled
foreign labor for the first time under the Employment Management Scheme. Due to
its limited scope, it failed to significantly decrease the number of undocumented workers. Finally, in July 2003, the government introduced a
new employment permit system for guest workers. On 31July 2004, new act regulating the work permit system of migrant workers was passed, which granted foreign workers rights not only to legal employment but also to join unions, to collective bargaining, and to strike.
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