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.